SaltWire E-Edition

LOTS OF PREPARATION

Safety is paramount when confirming season’s opening day

KATHY JOHNSON TRICOUNTY VANGUARD kathy.johnson@saltwire.com

Although the opening date for the commercial lobster fishery in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34 is always scheduled for the last Monday in November, ultimately it’s Mother Nature’s decision.

The weather has delayed the last two season openings in LFA 34, which spans from Baccaro, Shelburne County, to Burn’s Point Digby County, and includes all of Yarmouth County.

In 2020, the season in LFA 34 – the largest commercial lobster fishery of all fishing districts – didn’t open until Dec. 8 due to relentless days of strong winds and rough seas. In 2021, the season opener in LFA 34 – and also LFA 33 along the province’s south shore – was delayed by two days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Ensuring the start of the season is a safe one is a major part of the planning leading up to any season opener.

Well before the season starts, the Canadian Coast Guard and its search and rescue partners, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Department of National Defence (DND), Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Conservation and Protection and the Coast Guard Auxiliary meet to coordinate their search and rescue (SAR) postures for the season opening.

In advance of opening day, the Canadian Coast Guard prepositions many SAR vessels throughout the two fishing areas that provide detailed weather information to Halifax

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS).

On land, all eyes are on the weather, too, with pre-season conference weather calls between LFA Advisory Committee representatives and staff from DFO, Canadian Coast Guard, as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to discuss the opening day start. These calls start happening in the days leading up to the scheduled start.

“These calls provide the fishing industry the opportunity to recommend a change to the season-opening date based on safety concerns,” explains Stephen Bornais, DFO communications advisor.

“On each call, the predicted weather and sea conditions are discussed. If the forecast calls for winds in excess of 26 knots, the opening is automatically

delayed,” adds Lauren Sankey of DFO communications. That is a DFO-industry opening-day protocol that’s been in place in LFA 34 for many years.

“However, if the forecast does not offer a definitive picture, then the final decision rests with the department and representatives from each LFA,” Sankey says. “Each LFA makes its own decision, independently of the other, about opening. The pre-season weather calls have been in place for approximately 22 years.”

Like last year, DFO is allowing up to two days of flexibility for the season opening in LFAs 33 and 34, so the season could open as early as Nov.

26, instead of the scheduled (weather permitting) Nov. 28 opening if the forecast for the Monday is not favourable.

“This two-day flexibility

will allow pre-season weather calls to discuss the possibility of opening early on Saturday, Nov. 26, depending on the forecasted weather,” says Sankey, adding there is no limit on how many days the season could be delayed after Nov. 28 due to forecasted weather.

Once the opening day is decided, things get busy in a hurry in southwestern Nova Scotia. Wharves throughout the region that are filled with lobster fishing gear become beehives of activity, with boats being loaded and preparations made to head to the fishing grounds.

There are shotgun starts for both seasons, meaning all the vessels leave their ports at the same time, making for a spectacular sight on the water. In LFA 34 the season opens at 6 a.m. It’s a 7 a.m. start in LFA 33.

In some years, like last year, the start time in LFA 34 has been adjusted due to the weather. Last year’s season had an 8 a.m. start.

Because vessels are loaded with traps and gear, opening day is seen as the most risky and dangerous day of the sixmonth season as it comes with the most potential for things to go wrong, such as mechanical issues, vessels sinking, etc.

The Canadian Coast Guard brings in additional crews for opening day for the life stations throughout the region in Clark’s Harbour, Sambro and Westport. The RCAF will have crews and aircraft on standby between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on opening day and there will be multiple Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Canadian Coast Guard vessels and patrol aircraft in the area able to assist SAR whenever required, says Bornais.

“A number of Coast Guard Auxiliary members will be active in LFAs 33 and 34. However, the majority of these vessels participate in the lobster fishery and have a limited response capability due to loaded lobster traps on their own vessels,” he notes.

Thousands of fishers aboard more than 1,600 vessels work in the LFA 33 and 34 fishery.

“The safety of mariners and the protection of the marine environment are the top priorities for the Canadian Coast Guard,” Bornais says. “As always, DFO will continue to work with the Canadian Coast Guard, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and other partner agencies to monitor fishing activity. We wish all harvesters a safe season.”

TRI-COUNTY VANGUARD

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2022-11-23T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-23T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281608129436384

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