Community Announcement – 2020 Lobster Fall Fisheries

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The 2020 Lobster Food Fishery will begin September 20, 2020 at 6:00am and end October 4, 2020 at 6:00pm. The effort allocated for this season will be 235 traps for a total of 14 days. The LMG will fish 60 tags, and the remaining 175 tags will be divided amongst the Fishers. Vessels and Fishers must register with the Natural Resource Directorate (NRD). Community members wanting tags can register at the NRD. Please see the attached Schedule.

If you have questions or concerns, do no hesitate to contact the Natural Resources Directorate at (418) 788-3022. Please note, no disrespectful behaviours towards employees will be tolerated, and could result in denial of service.

Vessel Registration and Vessel Safety

If you are a vessel owner, and would like to participate in the fall lobster fishery, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Vessels must be owned by a Listuguj band member (proof of ownership is required).
  • Vessels must be registered with the Natural Resource Directorate (see ‘VESSEL REGISTRATION’ form below).
  • Vessels need to meet the safety and environmental requirements outlined in Transport Canada’s Small Vessel Compliance Program (https://tc.canada.ca/en/programs/small-vessel-compliance-program).
  • We encourage vessel owners to register with Transport Canada. The NRD can assist you in your registration.
  • If multiple fishers are sharing one vessel, there cannot be more than three (3) fishers per vessel. There are no limits on deckhands.

Applications were accepted until September 11th at 4:30 p.m.

The Fisheries Coordinator will contact you if your registration was accepted.

Fisher Information

If you are a community member who would like to fish lobster this fall, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Fishers must register with the NRD (see ‘FISHER REGISTRATION’ form below).
  • Fishers have access to a proper lobster-fishing vessel that is registered with the Natural Resource Directorate.
  • All Fishers must be a Listuguj band member.
  • Fishers are required to sign a lessee agreement.
  • Fishers are required to honor individual tag holder agreements.
  • All Fishers must respect the Conservation Harvesting Plan, Order in Councils, and community License Conditions.
  • All traps must be tagged using the Gespe’gewa’gi Fisheries Tag provided by NRD
  • All Fishers must have access to the own fishing and safety gear.
  • If multiple fishers are sharing one vessel, there cannot be more than three (3) fishers per vessel. There are no limits on deckhands.
  • All fishers must be onboard to check their respective trap. Fishers cannot check the traps of another fisher. Special circumstances must be pre-approved with the Fisheries Coordinator if you cannot check your own traps.

Applications were accepted until September 11th at 4:30 p.m.

The Fisheries Coordinator will contact you if your registration was accepted.

Community Tag Distribution Information

If you wish to receive a tag, and have a fisher catch lobster for you, you must register in person at the natural resource building from Monday, September 14, 2020 to Thursday, September 17, 2020 during regular working hours.

  • There are 175 tags available for community members. First come first serve basis.
  • To avoid delays in your application, please be ready to identify your Fisher of choice.
  • There is no guarantee your tag will go to your Fisher of your choice, and may be given to another fisher.
  • The NRD will give your tag to the fisher directly.
  • If you receive a tag, you cannot get lobster from the community line-up or Elder delivery. Your lobster will come from the Fisher.

Lobster Cooking and Distribution

Cooking will occur each day of fishing. All lobster will be cooked at the Natural Resource garage building. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. everyday. Please wear your mask and respect social distancing!

  • Community members must arrive on-site to receive cooked lobster.
  • First come, first serve basis!
  • Lobster availability depends on weather conditions and catches.
  • Listen to CHRQ for schedule changes!

Elder & Disability Delivery

Community elders and disability patients can contact Joanne Martin at (418) 788-3022 to get their name on the delivery list. Delivery days will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until the season ends. To be on the delivery list, you must call Joanne Martin each delivery day.

Click here to download the Fall 2020 lobster fishery schedule.