Lobster fishing
Lobster fishing
Lobster fishing
You’re absolutely right about the buoy colors identifying ownership. I didn’t know that NS licenses defined not only the legal lobstering area but also depth & catch limit. NE licenses define none of those; merely a license to fish. I don’t know if the normal NE license defines the number of traps one can set. Where the lobster fisher places their traps in Massachusetts is largely a matter of being the first on site. Woe to anyone who encroaches on someone else’s area! Leads to buoy lines being cut so the traps cannot be found or even worse. Some areas are handed down from a previous generation.
My point about a break in the water is to say that is where one usually finds all kinds of midwater/bottom dwelling fish, including lobster. A break can be caused by water depth(color), temperature, tide/current, wind, or even a line of weed. You typically want to fish right along the line of the break. Given their constantly changing nature, static fishing like lobstering is not nearly as dependent on breaks as trawling.
Whew! Long winded description which hopefully can be understood.
Anyway, thanks for posting the beautiful videos and the details of lobster boats in Nova Scotia. Their design exemplifies how fish boats adapt to the conditions they regularly face.
Lobster fishing
I posted the videos more for people to see the vessels underway. No particular sequence.
I was told the vessels use GPS data when the fishermen places their lobster traps and each bouy is painted a specific pattern to indicate their ownership.
The vessels go out in the dark and the GPS system takes the vessels through a specified route to locate their traps. Each trap weighs 150 lbs along with its bait and anchor lines.
Fishing is done in zones and water depths according to the license each fisherman purchases. That license also specifies the quantity of lobsters they are allowed to catch and keep. Female lobsters with eggs must be gently removed to the sea.
Look closely at these photos and videos to see the lobster bouys . Note how close they are to the shore.
Lobster fishing
I would expect to see lobster traps set along that break. Perhaps they are there but I couldn’t see them.
Beautiful spot.
Lobster fishing
Liked by
Loading…