A new pilot project will investigate electronic data collection in the Prince Edward Island lobster fishery. The announcement was made today by Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Allan Campbell during a statement in the Legislative Assembly on the opening of the spring lobster season.
Under the project, buyers will use a hand-held computer to record such data as lobster landings, the number of traps fished and the time since the traps were last fished. The project will be carried out at five buying stations on the wharves in North Lake and Souris. At the present time, transactions between buyers and fishers are recorded on a paper sales slip. This process only collects information on landings and the information is generally not available until the following calendar year.
“The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council has recommended that additional information other than landings needs to be collected in order to better understand the lobster resource,” said Mr. Campbell. “This pilot project is part of our efforts to better understand and manage our most important fishery resource.”
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development; the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region; the Eastern Kings Fishermen’s Association; a local of the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association; and the Prince Edward Island Seafood Processors Association.
Mr. Campbell said the department will also be continuing the lobster resource monitoring program. Under the program, carried out in cooperation with DFO, the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association and volunteer fishers, data is collected on different components of the lobster population. Last year, data was collected from 125,000 lobsters landed around the province.
Referring to the opening of the lobster season, Mr. Campbell, who was a lobster fisher before his election last year, said this is the first time in 20 years that he is not heading out to set his traps for the season. He did say, however, that he would be going out with Patrick Eastman, a young fisher who has taken over his fleet.
“It is a tradition that a retiring captain assist the new owner to set the gear,” said Mr. Campbell. “I hope that all members of the Legislature can excuse me tomorrow as I want to uphold this tradition and lend a hand to a new member of the fishing community.”