Prince Edward Island Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair today expressed his pleasure with efforts made by the Prince Country Fishermen’s Association on the development of a long-term sustainability plan in Lobster Fishing Area 25 (LFA 25). Over the past several months, the association developed the plan which includes a two millimetre increase in carapace size by the 2014 season, electronic data collection and efforts to reduce the ghost fishing of abandoned lobster traps, both by 2012. The plan was developed in response to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Measures program. The plan and request for funding has been submitted to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for approval.
“This is an extremely important initiative and I congratulate the Prince County Fishermen’s Association on its hard work and leadership in developing the plan which will be of major benefit to lobster fishers,” said Minister LeClair. “More than 150 fishers participated in the development of the plan, and I commend their initiative in putting forward their ideas for the management of the resource.”
Development of the plan included discussions with the Maritime Fishermen’s Union and aboriginal groups in New Brunswick who also harvest lobsters in LFA 25.
Minister LeClair said the measures in the plan are consistent with the objectives of the provincial government’s Five-Point Lobster Plan. Under that plan, the provincial government committed to seek a federal-provincial funding agreement to support industry-led rationalization in LFA 25 and LFA 26A. A bridge loan of $480,000 was provided to the Prince County Fishermen’s Association to bank 24 licenses in LFA 25 in advance of the 2009 season in anticipation of DFO support. When fully funded, the sustainability plan will permanently retire the 24 licenses and an additional 10.
“The sustainability plan is critical to the future of the lobster fishery in western Prince Edward Island,” said Minister LeClair. “The lobster fishery generates significant benefits to rural Prince Edward Island, and is one of the key sectors identified for support under the Rural Action Plan.”
Minister LeClair said he is looking forward to continued discussions with fishers in LFAs 24 and 26A as they discuss sustainabilty plans for their areas as well.
Lobster is the leading fishery in Prince Edward Island, with landings of more than 20 million pounds annually.