About NovaShell

NovaShell is an independent information site about lobster in Nova Scotia: the fishery, the seasons and fishing areas, the rules that protect the stock, buying and cooking lobster, and the coastal communities that depend on it.

How we research

We build articles from primary sources first: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) management plans, variation orders and science advice; the Government of Nova Scotia; Statistics Canada; the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada; and the organizations that run the festivals and events we write about. Reputable news reporting fills in recent developments such as prices and opening-day delays.

Every article lists its sources at the bottom so you can check our work. Where sources disagree, or a figure is an estimate, we say so.

Season dates and regulations

Lobster season dates and regulations are set and can be changed by DFO, including weather delays to opening day. Our articles describe the usual rules, but the official source is always the current DFO fishery notice or variation order. If you fish commercially, follow your licence conditions.

Photos

We use photos that their creators have released under free licences (such as Creative Commons) or that are in the public domain. Each photo is credited under the image and in the sources section, with a link back to the original. See the full image credits page.

Corrections

Spotted something out of date or wrong? We want to fix it. Corrections are made promptly and the article’s “updated” date is changed.