Fisheries minister allows new bait rules for Nova Scotia lobster harvesters in LFA 33

A lobster is seen in the St. Peter's Bay area of Nova Scotia. (CTV file photo)

Lobster harvesters off southwest Nova Scotia can now use a new kind of bait, according to an announcement from Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson on Thursday.

Specifically, those in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33 can now keep the Jonah crabs brought up in their lobster pots as bycatch to be used as lobster bait.

“The fish and seafood industry is vital for coastal communities across Nova Scotia, and in southwest Nova Scotia, lobster fishing is not just an occupation but a way of life,” says Thompson in a news release.

The province’s lobsters are in-demand worldwide, and the largest lobster fishery in Canada happens in LFAs 33 and 34.

LFA 33 brought in a total value of $175 million of lobster for the 2024 to 2025 fishing season, according to Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada. Roughly 680 lobster licences are issued each year in the area.

Before Thursday, keeping the crabs as bait wasn’t allowed in LFA 33 due to the presence of a Jonah crab fishery nearby.

The DFO says the rule change comes as a byproduct of a rapidly changing environment.

“With a changing climate, access to reliable bait in the lobster fishery has become a concern for many harvesters,” reads a news release from the DFO.

The DFO also determined keeping the crabs won’t negatively impact the stock or commercial Jonah crab fishery.

The use of Jonah crab as bait has been practiced for many years in LFAs 34 through 38, now harvesters in LFA 33 have access to the same alternate bait source.

“By providing lobster harvesters in LFA 33 with access to Jonah crab… we are ensuring these harvesters are on a level playing field with the LFAs around them, and that they have access to the resources they need, while reducing bait costs, and maintaining healthy ecosystem,” says Thompson.

Lobster harvesters can only keep male Jonah crabs with a carapace of width of 130 mm or more. They are not allowed to sell the crabs and they must keep a logbook to report their collection.

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