The federal government has their eye on illegal lobster fishing.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans say enforcement is happening in southwestern Nova Scotia.

Much of it in St. Mary’s Bay, Digby County, a breeding ground for lobster.

Increased activity happens there each summer and fall, as many Indigenous harvesters fish under a Food, Social and Ceremonial licence.

It’s legal to harvest the lobster for those purposes, but it’s illegal to sell or trade it.

Anyone caught selling or trading is subject to having their catch and gear seized, and may be arrested and charged under the Fisheries Act.

Since June 1, DFO says they’ve inspected over 60 holding facilities and over 2,600 lobster traps, resulting in over 4,400 lobsters being seized and released.

Some of the reasons include fishing during closed times, failure to tag traps and unmarked sunken gear.

They say officers are working with various partners to prevent unauthorized fishing and illegal sales.

DFO say they’ll provide weekly enforcement updates.