Overall lobster landings in Prince Edward Island this year were down 1.4 million pounds from 2004 according to preliminary figures released today by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Kevin MacAdam. Total landings for 2005 were 18.5 million pounds. This represents a 7.4 percent decrease from the 19.9 million pounds landed in 2004. This is the first year in the past number of years that the over all lobster landings were down. However, the landed value of the lobster catch for the 2005 season will be in the $103 million dollar range up from the $100 million in 2004.
“It is disappointing to see the total landings down from 2004, with about 85 percent of this decrease in Area 24,” said Mr. MacAdam. “On the other hand, I am pleased to note that because of a slightly stronger shore price, the total landed value is higher than last year.”
The Minister said the fishing industry attributes the drop in landings as more weather related than supply related because of missed days and cold water temperatures early in the season.
The total landings for 2005 include the fall season in Area 25, the western Northumberland Strait from Victoria to North Cape; and the spring season in Area 24, along the north shore of Prince Edward Island and Area 26A in the eastern Northumberland Strait.
Landings this spring from Areas 24 and 26A totalled 16.1 million pounds, a decrease of 1.7 million pounds or 9.1 percent from 2004. The largest decrease was in Area 24 where catches were down 8.8 per cent to 12.7 million pounds, compared to 13.9 million pounds in 2004. Landings in Area 26A totalled 3.4 million pounds, a decrease of approximately 9.9 per cent or 0.4 million pounds from 2004.
Figures recently compiled by the department for the fall lobster season in Area 25 indicate landings were 2.33 million pounds. That represents an increase of approximately 5.9 per cent or 130,000 pounds in comparison to the 2004 landings in this area.
”There is a small degree of encouragement to see a very slight increase in landings and landed value in Area 25 as landings had declined from 2.95 million pounds in 2000 to 2.2 million pounds in 2004,” said Mr. MacAdam. “It is believed that the changes in the management plan implemented for 2005 including the season opening a week earlier than in 2004, and the large male lobster that could be included as part of the catch contributed to the slight increase in landings.”
Lobster continues to be the major component of the Prince Edward Island fishery, with lobster landings representing over 60 per cent of the total landed value of the fishery. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the industry and other partners to maintain the position of the lobster fishery as an important part of our economy,” said Mr. MacAdam.
Preliminary figures for the 2005 lobster landings are based on information provided to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture by licensed lobster buyers throughout Prince Edward Island.