Overall lobster landings in Prince Edward Island this year were on par with 2003 according to preliminary figures released today by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Kevin MacAdam. Total landings for 2004 reached 19.9 million pounds. This represents a very slight decrease from the 20.0 million pounds landed in 2003 and is the same as the 19.9 million pounds landed in 2002.
The landed value of the lobster catch for the 2004 season will again be slightly over the $100 million range.
“I am pleased to see that lobster landings remain strong overall,” said Mr. MacAdam. “However, I am very concerned with the low landings being experienced by fishers in some ports in the Northumberland Strait. The lobster conservation measures imposed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans prior to the 2004 season appear to have added additional burden to some of our fishers. My department will be working with the fishing industry, the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to try and address the issue of decreasing landings in the Northumberland Strait.”
The total landings for 2004 include the fall season in Area 25, the western Northumberland Strait from Victoria to North Cape, the spring season in Area 24, along the north shore of Prince Edward Island, and Area 26A, in the eastern Northumberland Strait.
Landings this spring from Areas 24 and 26A totaled 17.7 million pounds, an increase of 100,000 pounds or less than 1.0 percent over 2003. The largest increase was in Area 24 where catches were up 6.0 per cent to 13.9 million pounds, compared to 13.0 million pounds in 2003. Landings in Area 26A totalled 3.8 million pounds, a decrease of approximately 16.0 per cent or 0.8 million pounds from 2003.
Figures recently compiled by the department for the fall lobster season in Area 25 indicate landings were 2.15 million pounds. That represents a decrease of approximately 10.0 per cent or 235,000 pounds in comparison to the 2003 landings in this area.
Lobster continues to be a key component of the Prince Edward Island fishery, with lobster landings representing over 60 per cent of the total landed value of the fishery. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the industry and other partners to maintain the position of the lobster fishery as an important part of our rural economy,” said Mr. MacAdam.
Preliminary figures for the 2004 lobster landings are based on information provided to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture by licensed lobster buyers throughout Prince Edward Island.