Canadian lobsters are primarily harvested along the Atlantic coast in five provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec.

Harvesting Regions

Canada’s lobster industry is centered on the cold, clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which are ideal for the American lobster (Homarus americanus),
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The country is divided into 41 Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs), each with its own regulated season, ranging from eight weeks to six months
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These areas are carefully managed to ensure sustainability, with harvesters releasing egg-bearing females and undersized lobsters to maintain healthy populations
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The peak lobster seasons occur in spring and late fall, while summer is reserved for moulting, when lobsters are soft-shelled

U.S. and Canada Lobster Catches in 2025
Lobster catches in the United States—primarily in Maine—have been declining steadily in recent years due to a combination of climate change, storms, and shifting fishery dynamics. Maine’s haul dropped from nearly 111 million pounds in 2021 to about 86.1 million pounds in 2024, the lowest in 15 years
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. This decline has been driven by:

Northward migration of lobsters into cooler Canadian waters, especially the Bay of Fundy, as Gulf of Maine waters warm three times faster than other ocean regions
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Major storms damaging waterfront infrastructure and disrupting fishing operations
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Fewer juvenile lobsters settling off New England, threatening long-term sustainability
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Despite the drop, Maine’s fishery remained economically strong in 2024, with fishermen taking home over $528 million at the docks—the highest since 2021—and lobster prices among the highest on record
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In Canada, the lobster fishery is equally important, especially in provinces like New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Canadian fishermen harvest the same species as U.S. fishermen, and much of the processing and export occurs there
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. The Canadian fishery benefits from cooler waters, which support higher lobster populations, and from the fact that U.S. lobsters are often sent to Canada for processing before being exported back to the U.S. and other markets
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Key points:

U.S. catch (Maine): ~86.1 million lbs in 2024, down from 111 million lbs in 2021; lowest in 15 years
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Canadian catch: Not specified in the provided data, but Canada’s lobster industry is a major exporter and processor, with strong populations in cooler waters
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Trends: Climate-driven migration, storm damage, and juvenile settlement issues are major challenges for U.S. fishermen; Canada’s cooler waters and infrastructure support a resilient fishery.

In short, while U.S. lobster catches are falling due to environmental and economic pressures, Canada’s lobster industry is thriving in its cooler waters, making it a key partner in the North American lobster trade.