Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan has released preliminary figures for the 2001 lobster landings which show a slight increase over last year.
"Total landings for 2001 reached 18.9 million pounds. That's up half a million pounds or 2.7 per cent from landings in the year 2000," the Minister said. "At the same time, the landed value for the 2001 season is expected to be up over $10 million from last year."
The total landings for 2001 include the fall season and the spring season in Area 24, along the North Shore of PEI, and Area 26A, in the Southeastern Northumberland Strait. Landings this spring from both areas totalled 15.9 million pounds, an increase of half a million pounds or approximately 3.0 per cent over 2000.
Minister Gillan said figures recently compiled by his Department for the fall lobster season in Area 25, the Western Northumberland Strait from Victoria to North Cape, indicate landings were 2.99 million pounds. That is an increase of 1.0 per cent over the 2000 figure.
"The landings after the third week in September were down by approximately 2.0 per cent from the same period last year. However, stronger landings in the last two weeks of the season were enough to provide the slight increase," the Minister added.
Minister Gillan said he is pleased to see that the lobster fishery remains strong overall.
"With a landed value of close to $100 million, and the added value through the processing and service sectors, the lobster fishery makes a tremendous contribution to our provincial economy," the Minister said.
"I look forward to continuing to work closely with the industry and other partners to protect and enhance this valuable resource and maintain its position as a key component of our Island economy."
Preliminary figures for the 2001 lobster landings are based on information provided to the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment by licensed lobster buyers throughout Prince Edward Island.