Prince Edward Island lobster landings reached a record high in 2009. The total landings were 22.9 million pounds, up by 4.7 percent over 2008. The previous high was 22.7 million pounds in 1991. The figures were released today by Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair.
Minister LeClair said he is encouraged by the strong landings, but is disappointed in the low prices received during the past season. The landed value is estimated at $75 million, a drop of 25 percent from last year’s value of just over $100 million.
“The 2009 lobster season was marked by low shore prices, the negative impacts of exchange rates, constraints on capital and declines in food service sales, particularly in the United States,” said Minister LeClair. “However, the continued higher landings indicate the resource is well-managed and sustainable as we move forward.”
Landings were higher in each of the province’s three lobster fishing areas. In the spring fishery in LFA 24, total landings were 14.4 million pounds, up by 2.9 percent from 2008. Total landings in LFA 26A during the spring were 5.0 million pounds, up by 3.75 percent over the previous season. The highest increase was in the fall fishery in LFA 25 where total landings were up by 15 percent over last year, reaching 3.49 million pounds. This is the fifth consecutive year of increases in the western Northumberland Strait.
“It is most encouraging to see landings increase in LFA 25, which had seen serious declines in earlier years,” said Minister LeClair. “My department continues to monitor the state of the resource in all areas through our lobster resource monitoring program and the data will be available later this year.”
The Minister said that the department is working closely with all sectors of the industry on its Five Point Lobster Plan to address the challenges it is facing. That plan includes low interest loans for all eligible fishers, marketing and promotion, new product development and rationalization of licenses. He said the newly-established Lobster Council of Canada will also be working to strengthen the industry, which has been hit hard by market conditions.
“As new initiatives in market and product development are being implemented, all sectors of the industry should be encouraged by the fundamental health of the resource,” said Minister LeClair. “I am confident that we can build on the strengths of the industry.”
The lobster fishery employs 6,500 people in the fishing and processing sectors and normally contributes $250 million to the provincial economy. It accounts for 65 percent of the landed value of all fisheries in the province.