A new Lobster Industry Roundtable has been established to develop a shared vision for the future of the lobster industry in Prince Edward Island. Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Allan Campbell announced the establishment of the Roundtable in the Legislative Assembly today. The Roundtable includes representatives of federal and provincial fisheries departments, fishers, aboriginal fishers, processors and the science community. It will be chaired by Dr. Tim Ogilvie of the Atlantic Veterinary College.
The Roundtable held its first meeting on November 10, and is expected to meet at least four times a year.
“I am very pleased that such an experienced, knowledgeable and committed group of people has agreed to serve on the Lobster Industry Roundtable,” said Mr. Campbell. “The Roundtable will bring all sectors of the industry together to develop a long-term vision to achieve the full potential of the lobster industry in this province.”
Mr. Campbell said there are a number of challenging issues facing the lobster industry, including changes in the marketplace, rising input costs, an aging labour force and management of the resource.
“Each of these and other issues affect the entire lobster fishery and everyone involved in it,” he said. “That is why everyone in the industry must work together to achieve our common goals.”
Mr. Campbell noted that the initiative to bring together all sectors of the lobster industry has been endorsed by the Standing Committee on Fisheries, Intergovernmental Affairs and Transportation.
The Prince Edward Island lobster industry accounts for 65 percent of the total landed value of the fishery. The landed value of lobsters is more than $100 million annually and, with processing and other spin-offs, contributes more than $250 million to the provincial economy. The industry provides 6500 jobs.