Canada’s largest lobster fishery is underway.

It’s ‘Dumping Day’ in Lobster Fishing Areas 33 and 34, stretching from Digby around Yarmouth to Halifax.

According to DFO, that includes over 1,400 vessels heading out to set their traps.

Many families watch from wharves and the shoreline every year, as hope for low winds and high prices remains.

Last year, combined landings in the region were valued at over $540 million.

Dwayne Surette, area manager for DFO says safety is the main concern on day one.

“We had preseason weather calls with Environment Canada, JRCC and the Coast Guard. Everyone is on full alert making sure there’s a safe start to the season, and then we want everyone to do well, we want these communities to thrive in the lobster fishery,” said Surette.

He says both air and water support are available to assist, and the first days are critical with so many going out.

LFA 34 fishers were scheduled to leave at 5 a.m, one hour earlier than normal due to high winds forecast later Monday.

LFA 33 were scheduled to go at 7 a.m.

The fall lobster season runs until the end of May.