The new commercial fishery for whelk in eastern Cape Breton has opened for its first season.
On Tuesday in Louisburg, MP Mike Kelloway met with harvesters to celebrate the opening earlier in July, and the first catch being landed.
According to a release, the whelk fishery in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Area 4Vs was previously licensed only for exploratory harvesting.
Ottawa says the commercial whelk fishery supports seventy good-paying jobs in eastern Nova Scotia.
MP Mike Kelloway says, “Cape Bretoners are at the forefront of the fishing industry. This first season opening of the commercial whelk fishery is a prime example of how the collaboration between harvesters and scientists can lead to a new and healthy fishery.”
In a statement, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier says, “I am pleased to announce that the new commercial whelk fishery in Nova Scotia is officially open for business for its very first year in Eastern Nova Scotia. This is great news for the harvesters and processors in the province, and for international consumers of Canadian seafood.”
The edible mollusk or sea snail is primarily exported from Canada to Asian markets.
Today, I’m in #Louisbourg to celebrate the first season opening of the commercial #whelk fishery in the waters off Cape Breton! 🌊
— Mike Kelloway, M.P. (@mikekelloway) July 30, 2024
With our government’s support, Canadian fish harvesters are developing new products and cultivating new markets. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/UD4mnjuLws
