Spring lobster season to start a day late off P.E.I.'s southeast coast

The opening of the spring season in P.E.I.'s Lobster Fishing Area 26A has been delayed until Saturday because high waves are in the forecast for the northeastern Northumberland Strait.

That means crews won't haul their first traps until Monday, since the traps will be placed Saturday morning and P.E.I. lobster boats don't go out on Sundays.

Word of the delay comes after a conference call joined by Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials as well as representatives from each harbour participating in the fishery.

The season was scheduled to open Friday along Prince Edward Island's south coast, stretching from Souris to Victoria-by-the-Sea.

Setting day for the North Shore fishery — in Lobster Fishing Area 24, which reaches from around Tignish to East Point — is scheduled for Monday.

When opening day is delayed, the season closes a day late, up to a maximum of four days.

In a Facebook post to members late Wednesday, the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association said the opening will be delayed until 6 a.m. Saturday, with DFO citing "adverse weather conditions."

"Wishing all our 26A lobster fishers a safe setting day and a prosperous season," the association's post said.

This map shows the locations of Lobster Fishing Area 24, covering the North Shore of Prince Edward Island, and Lobster Fishing Area 26-A1, stretching from Souris in the northeast to Victoria in south-central P.E.I. Lobster Fishing Areas 26-A2 and 26-A3 take in parts of northern Nova Scotia. (DFO)