Lobster fishing captains will soon have to submit information electronically.

Starting this fall, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is making the use of electronic logbooks, or ‘ELOGs’ mandatory in LFA 33 and 34.

The department says it’s to help monitor fishing activities and ensure good management of the industry.

For decades, paper logbooks have being used by captains to report where, when and how much they’re fishing.

DFO says this format presents challenges to data integrity and timely decision making around fisheries management and protection.

Dan Fleck with the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association says the new ‘ELOGs’ are asking captains to report things like the type of bait being used, and total time spent on the water.

“Additional steps that were added that we feel are unnecessary, and we feel that information doesn’t contribute anything. We’d like to see that removed to make life easier for the captains on the water,” said Fleck.

Fleck adds that captains have enough to worry about.

“Captains are concerned about vessel safety and their crew, and keeping an eye on people on deck to make sure everything is safe. We’re still advocating to have some of these removed.”

Industry-led ELOG training sessions have been happening in the Tri-Counties:

Tuesday, March 24:        Mariners on Main (Yarmouth) 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25: Meteghan Fire Hall – 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Digby Neck/Sandy Cove Fire Hall – 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday, March 26:     Upper Clements Community Hall (Digby/Annapolis Royal) 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.