Rockweed Closed Areas

Ascophyllum nodosum, locally known as rockweed, is harvested in the Bay of Fundy and is managed by limiting harvest within sectors and through area closures. Closed areas are closed year-round and include: exclusion areas for management, research, conservation, transportation or security purposes; study sites that are set aside for study purposes; and long term reference areas that are control sites for potential experiments linked to rockweed and it’s associated biota. Special rockweed management areas have a delayed opening (July 1st) to conserve seabird populations and avoid harvesting during their breeding season. Only the sectors southwest of the Saint John Harbour are actively harvested.