Hello Everyone,
Some of the most beautiful sights in the world are framed through my office window, here at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Visitors to the Museum see it on a grander scale, of course, since they are able to stroll along our wharves or watch from the decks of our vessels.
Lunenburg’s front harbour is both picturesque and the foundation of industry.
A few minutes ago I watched an inshore fishing boat returning to port. The light green hull cut neatly through the water and the resulting wash of waves was an ever expanding series of V’s.
Yes, it’s all very pretty and we could easily be lost in the momentary beauty.
The inshore boat, though, is coming back after hours of lobster fishing. The boat left near dawn, joining others from the area, and chugged its way out to its lobster traps. The traps were then hoisted aboard the boat, lobsters removed, bait refreshed and the traps reset. No matter how warmly the fishermen dress, the North Atlantic is freezing cold in the winter. No matter how numb your fingers, you still have to be able to handle the lobsters with a degree of dexterity, or risk having a crustacean grab hold with a feisty claw!
Lobster seasons vary in the Maritimes. Lunenburg is in Fishing Zone 33, with the season being from the last Monday in November to 31 May. The fishermen are not able to work during the entire period of the season, due to poor weather conditions.
Fishermen are also involved with the Federal government, in efforts to maintain a healthy stock of lobsters. If they catch any female lobsters with their tails "berried" (having eggs ~ they look a bit like berries), they place a V-shaped notch in the tail and then release the lobster. The notch is visible for years and it is illegal for anyone to catch and keep a notched lobster. Other conservation efforts include releasing lobsters that are under a certain length or weight.
All in all, lobstering is a labour intensive, difficult job.
It’s good to keep that in mind, when admiring the beauty of the seacoast and the attractive lines of the boats!
Wishing you Smooth Sailing,
Heather
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