subject : Opening of the Lobster fishery in areas 15 and 16

Sept-Îles – April 28, 2025

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Quebec Region announces the opening of the 2025 lobster fishing season in zones 15 and 16 according to the following dates:

Area 15: From May 19 to August 10, 2025

Area 16 and Sub-area 18I : From May 12 to August 3rd, 2025

Please note that the season will start at 5:00 a.m. on opening day and end at 11:59 p.m. on closing day for all sub-areas.

Bell tags (Area 15 pilot project)

The pilot project on the use of bell tags in effect in Zone 15 in 2024 is renewed for the 2025 season. The licence holder must attach one or more bell tags to the rope at the base of each buoy. The number of bell tags attached to the base of the buoy must be equal to the number of traps installed on the trap line. The Vessel Registration (VRN) number must be written on the bell tag. The licence holder must only use bell tags that have been obtained from a supplier identified in a DFO-approved tagging plan.

The management measures for these two fleets are included in the Conservation Harvesting Plan 2025 approved on April 17, 2025.

In order to obtain the Conditions of License, fish harvesters must access the National Permit System online. 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

Please visit our website at the following address: Quebec Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

Yolaine Croussette

Resource Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

North Shore Area : 1-800-463-1729