A large search had come to an end for a fisher who went overboard early Monday morning in southwestern Nova Scotia.
The boat was lobstering off Cape Sable Island when a young man went overboard.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre began its response around 8:30 a.m. on Boxing Day and a large scale search continued until Tuesday at noon.
A post from the Atlantic Canada Fishermen’s Association identifies the vessel the fisher was on as the “Little Weasel II”.
Multiple social media posts, including posts from his family, identify him as 27-year-old Christian Lee Atwood.
“Very sad news and a reminder of how dangerous lobster fishing is. A man is reportedly gone overboard from Cape Sable Island in LFA 34. Everyone please pray for him and his family.” wrote South Shore-St.Margarets MP Rick Perkins in a post on social media.
The search was supported by choppers and other aircraft along with the Canadian Coast Guard and commercial fishers from the area.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Christian’s family, friends and crew of the MV Little Weasel II at this difficult time.” – Nova Scotia Fisheries Minister Steve Craig
The matter has now be turned over to the RCMP to be treated as a missing person.
The winter lobster fishery opened in December in fishing areas stretching from Halifax to Digby.