Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Greg Deighan is asking the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to immediately undertake lobster research activities in the Northumberland Strait.
Fishers in Area 25, the western Northumberland Strait from Victoria to North Cape, have experienced a significant decline in landings during the first weeks of this year's fall lobster season.
"With some areas reporting catches down by as much as 50 per cent from last year, this situation is critical for the 260 Island fishers and their families who rely on the fall fishery for their livelihood, and the many other Islanders who benefit from a strong and healthy lobster industry," said Minister Deighan. "Research by DFO science is needed now to ensure the long term sustainability of this fishery."
Minister Deighan sent a letter this week to Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Robert Thibault asking that DFO have divers do an immediate assessment of the lobster population as the first step in research into the Area 25 lobster fishery in the western Northumberland Strait.
Minister Deighan said he is hopeful that catches will improve before the fall fishery closes October 7. The overall landings may be better than totals to date would suggest, he added. But regardless of the final outcome of the season, Minister Deighan said research is vital.
"Over the last 10 years, there has been a steady decline in landings in Area 25, particularly in the area from Cape Egmont to Victoria. At the same time, we have seen landings in other areas of the province increase," said Minister Deighan. "We need to gain a better understanding of what factors are contributing to the downturn in the central Northumberland Strait, and research is the key to finding some of those answers."
Minister Deighan said the Government of Prince Edward Island has taken an active role in lobster research activities in recent years. The Provincial Lobster Resource Monitoring Program provides valuable data on the resource as technicians carry out sampling on board vessels and fishers carry log books to record detailed catch information. The Province also provides financial support to the Lobster Science Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College; and provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture staff are doing tagging this fall season, and they continue to provide in-kind support to a Dalhousie University doctoral student who is involved in a tagging study to better understand the movement of lobsters in the Northumberland Strait.
"Research will continue to be a priority for the Province and we would be pleased to provide in-kind support to the federal department to assist with research into the Area 25 lobster fishery," said Minister Deighan.
Lobster is a key component of the PEI fishery and a significant contributor to the economy of Prince Edward Island. The landed value of lobster in 2002 was $105 million and there was considerable added value from the processing and service sectors.