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A 53-year-old Cape Breton man has died after he went overboard while setting lobster traps in Nova Scotia Monday on 'Dumping Day', the first day of lobster fishing in the province.

Lobster fisherman dead after going overboard in N.S.


Cheryl Santa Maria
Digital Reporter

Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 6:51 AM - A 53-year-old Cape Breton man has died after he went overboard while setting lobster traps in Nova Scotia Monday on 'Dumping Day,' the first day of lobster fishing in the province.

Two other fishermen went over as well but were rescued by a Cormorant Helicopter. It's not clear how long they were in the water, the CBC reports.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent a team heading to Woods Harbour, N.S., to investigate.

The Weather Network's Mark Robinson and Nathan Coleman were in the area Monday for Dumping Day as 1,500 fishing boats set out to dump lobster traps.

Weather conditions were cold and calm during the early morning hours, according to Robinson.

"We came down for Dumping Day working on an episode of Storm Hunters just about the dangers of life at sea earning a living," Coleman said. "And that became very poignant when we heard a distress call come in on the radio first thing in the morning."

According to Coleman, the "ropes were flying" and they were doing everything they could just to hang on.

"When that signal came in, everyone knew what it was and of course the coast guard is circling the boats because it’s such a busy day, but we see the result is tragedy," Coleman adds.

Dumping Day in southern Nova Scotia falls on the last Monday in November each year, giving fishermen the opportunity to let out their lobster traps for the year.

The stakes are high for the thousands involved as the fishing vessels race to claim the best spots for what could be the most lucrative day of their season.

Southern Nova Scotia's lobster fishing season opens on the last Monday in November, remaining open until May 31 each year.

According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Nova Scotia's fishing districts are the most lucrative lobster regions in the country.

Sources: The Canadian Press | CBC

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