subject : Postponement of the opening of the lobster fishery in sub-area 17B

Sept-Îles – May 4, 2026

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the postponement of the opening of the lobster fishing season in sub-area 17B only.

At the recommendation of fleet representatives, the opening, previously scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, has been postponed to Friday, May 8, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. (EDT). Consequently, the fishery will close on Sunday, July 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (EDT).

The pilot project allowing unbaited traps to be set during the first seven days following the opening of the season will be extended in 2026 for all Area 17 license holders. The trap setting period in sub-area 17B will run from May 8, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. (EDT) to May 15, 2026, at 4:59 a.m. (EDT). Once the traps have been set, lobster harvesting and the hauling, moving, or handling of the traps are prohibited until the end of the setting period.

The other management measures are listed in the 2026-2028 Conservation Harvesting Plan for the loster fishery in Areas 15, 16, 17 and 18, available on the DFO website.

Conditions of licence

In order to obtain the Conditions of Licence, fish harvesters must access the National Online Licensing System. For assistance with the National Online Licensing System, please contact customer support by phone at 1-877-535-7307 or by email at fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

For additional information

You can find additional information about management measures and fishing areas on the DFO – Quebec region’s website.

Resource Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

North Shore area: 1-800-463-1729

Note: In case of discrepancies between the English and the French versions, the latter prevails.