Lobster landings in the spring season have increased by close to 17 percent, for a total of 18.9 million pounds, according to preliminary figures released today by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. In Area 24, along the north shore of Prince Edward Island, total landings were 14.8 million pounds, up from 12.7 million pounds in 2005. In Area 26A, the central and eastern Northumberland Strait, landings totalled 4.1 million pounds, compared to 3.5 million pounds last year.
“The total landings for the spring lobster season are roughly on par with the average landings of the past several years,” said Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Jim Bagnall. “While landings in the Northumberland Strait have shown improvement, it is too early to forecast if this is the beginning of a trend for future years or just an increase for one year.”
The Minister said that many fishers in the Northumberland Strait continue to face financial difficulties and that a comprehensive and long-term solution must be developed to ensure its economic and ecological sustainability. He said that, at last Monday’s meeting, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, provincial governments in the region and industry representatives agreed on a process to address the short- and long-term issues facing fishers in the Northumberland Strait.
Lobster is the main fishery in Prince Edward Island, with a landed value last year of more than $100 million. The fall lobster season in Area 25A, the western Northumberland Strait, opens on August 9.