As Nova Scotia’s $1.3 billion lobster industry prepares to launch its highly anticipated season, fishing crews in southwestern parts of the province are being reminded to make safety their top priority. Known as Dumping Day, the start of the season in Lobster Fishing Area 33—stretching from Cow Bay in Halifax Regional Municipality to Shelburne County—and Lobster Fishing Area 34, covering Shelburne County to Digby County, will see thousands of traps dropped into the water. Weather-dependent and expected to begin on Monday, November 25, the day marks the official start of one of Nova Scotia’s largest economic drivers.

Provincial release:

With the lobster season about to start,fishing crews in southwestern Nova Scotia are reminded to make safety a top priority.

Dumping Day – as the first day of the season is known – will see thousands of lobster traps dumped along the south and western shores in lobster fishing areas 33 and 34. The start in both areas is weather dependent but is expected to be Monday, November 25.

The Province urges fishers to take the time and necessary steps to stay safe.

Fishing crews preparing to head out each day should:
– monitor the weather
– assess their boats
– check all vessel safety equipment to ensure it is inspected and accessible
– prepare for emergencies.

Occupational health and safety laws require all crew members to wear a life jacket or other personal flotation device.

The safety branch of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration works with partners at Fish Safe NS, the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council and workplaces around the province to deliver a fishing safety awareness campaign about safety roles, responsibilities and general compliance requirements.

Quick Facts:
– Lobster Fishing Area 33 stretches from Cow Bay in Halifax Regional Municipality to Shelburne County; Lobster Fishing Area 34 covers Shelburne County to Digby County
– since 2016, there have been more than 1,700 fishing-related safety initiatives including man overboard drills, Safety Dock talks and Are You Ready? wharf visits
– lobster is the province’s biggest seafood export with $1.3 billion in exports in 2023