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 its 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.