05/12/2026
โFrom a quality perspective, there were ongoing concerns again this year regarding shell quality and the condition of lobster early in the season,โ says Newell. โThatโs been an increasingly important discussion in recent years, particularly around timing of the opening and how it aligns with moult cycles and water temperatures. Industry and harvesters continue to closely monitor that issue because quality directly affects both markets and harvester revenues.โ
Newell says from a stock perspective, there is still cautious optimism overall within LFA 34, which takes in all of Yarmouth County and parts of Digby and Shelburne counties.
โHarvesters continue to report seeing juvenile lobster recruitment and egg-bearing females on the grounds, which is encouraging. While landings have softened compared to peak years, the stock itself is still generally considered healthy according to current science assessments,โ says Newell.
โThat said, there is definitely concern within industry about long-term environmental change, warming oceans, shifting biomass patterns, and the need to ensure the fishery remains sustainable and economically viable for future generations,โ Newell says.
Newell says the lobster fishery remains the economic backbone of many coastal communities in southwestern Nova Scotia, so even modest changes in catch rates, quality, or market conditions are felt very quickly at the community level.
He notes there are ongoing port discussions taking place around season timing and operational considerations.
โThose conversations are not new, but they have become more active as industry looks at balancing lobster quality, conservation, safety, economics, and changing environmental conditions,โ says Newell.
โThere has certainly been discussion in the industry around whether later openings could potentially improve shell quality and product value earlier in the season, though there are many differing opinions among harvesters and communities,โ he says. โAt this stage, these are discussions happening at the harbour and industry level, with feedback typically flowing through harbour authorities, industry associations, advisory processes, and DFO consultation mechanisms.โ
Fleck says Brazil Rock has not been involved with any of the meetings.
โI understand itโs a grassroots, captain-initiated endeavor to try and figure out or make recommendations to DFO how to improve the fishery,โ Fleck says. โA lot of people are saying something different has to be done because what we have right now isnโt really cutting it. It just doesnโt fit the business model to keep yourself afloat for the amount of lobsters at a $9 price, compared to the expense of fuel and traps and crewโฆthe business model just isnโt working right now.โ
There was one bright spot months into the season when China temporarily removed 25 per cent tariffs from Canadian lobster and other seafood, following a trade agreement with the Government of Canada. Harvesters are waiting to see what will happen beyond this year on the tariff front.
Meanwhile, lobster harvesters are operating in an increasingly complex environment, says Newell.
โBeyond simply catching lobster, they are navigating rising costs, climate variability, market instability, regulatory pressures, gear requirements, and increasing demands around reporting and traceability,โ he says. โDespite that, the fleet continues to show remarkable resilience and professionalism.โ
According to the preliminary statistics from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for the 2024-2025 commercial lobster season in LFA 33 7,179 metric tonnes (MT) of lobster were landed, valued at $175 million. In LFA 34, 14,742 MT of lobster were caught, with a landed value of $349 million.
LFA 33: 7,447 MT landed $180 million
LFA 34: 17,371 MT landed $413 million
LFA 33: 7,725 MT landed $156 million
LFA 34: 16,706 MT landed $335 million
LFA 33: 7,320 MT landed $177 million
LFA 34: 19,586 MT landed $448 million
LFA 33: 7,279 MT landed $144 million
LFA 34: 21,216 MT landed $400 million
