PEI Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Minister, Kevin J. MacAdam, today released preliminary landing figures as compiled by his Department, for the Spring lobster season in Areas 24 and 26A.
The figures indicate that landings in Area 24 along the North Shore of PEI totalled 11.0 million pounds, up 1.5% from landings in 1999. In Area 26A, in the Southeastern Northumberland Strait, an increase of 14.3% was experienced from last year with landings of 4.3 million pounds up from 3.8 million pounds in 1999.
"The overall spring production of 15.4 million pounds from both areas is an increase of 4.7%," the Minister said in a news release. "I am pleased to see the landings holding steady on the North side, and I am encouraged by the increase in the Northumberland Strait."
"The lobster fishery is the single most important component of the Island fishing economy, and naturally the lobster industry has concerns and questions about any fluctuations in landings. There is also pressure to ensure that appropriate conservation measures are in place now and into the future," Minister MacAdam stated.
"I want to note that the Provincial government is again taking an active part in lobster research activities in Prince Edward Island this season," he added.
The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, in conjunction with DFO and the PEI Fisherman's Association, have contracted AVC Inc. to complete a third consecutive season of detailed at-sea lobster sampling.
"This detailed sampling has greatly improved our view of the lobster resource which we catch," Minister MacAdam said. "This type of data will aid us with future management and conservation questions as well as assist us to design workable methods to secure this type of data on a long-term basis."
The Department is engaged in several other research initiatives directed at lobster, including a special banding project to measure the rate of recapture of short and berried lobsters, studies of larval lobster abundance, and a survey of lobster fishers to monitor changes in the level of effort in the fishery.
"Based on these successful studies, the Province is looking to continue and build upon this approach through the implementation of its Lobster Strategy" the Minister stated.
"I am pleased at the cooperative approach which has developed in recent years involving the Province, the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Atlantic Veterinary College, and most importantly, the Island lobster industry. I am confident that with everyone working together, the lobster resource will continue to contribute significantly to the economy long into the future," concluded the Minister.