Preliminary statistics for the 2007 spring lobster season show landings declined from 2006 but are on par with landings in previous years. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Allan Campbell released the figures today.
Lobster landings in Area 24, along the north shore of Prince Edward Island, and Area 26A, the central and eastern Northumberland Strait, totalled 17.1 million pounds – 13.2 million pounds in Area 24 and 3.9 million pounds in Area 26A. The 2007 total represents an overall decrease of 1.8 million pounds or 9.3 per cent from the 2006 landings.
“We have to keep in mind that 2006 was a very strong year for Prince Edward Island lobster landings – the highest recorded since 1991 when 22.8 million pounds were landed,” said Minister Campbell. “When compared to 2005 spring landings of 16.2 million pounds, the 2007 landings represent an increase of 9.0 per cent.”
Minister Campbell said cold water temperatures and windy conditions in the early part of the season posed a real challenge for fishers. Landings did improve as the weather improved and fishers had strong landings in the last week of the season.
“I would like to thank lobster buyers who submitted landing information during the spring season, as well the fishers who participated in the department's Lobster Resource Monitoring Program,” said Minister Campbell. “Timely and accurate information on the Prince Edward Island lobster fishery is a benefit to all those involved in the industry.”
Lobster is the main fishery in Prince Edward Island, with a landed value of more than $110 million in 2006. The fall lobster season in Area 25, Victoria to North Cape, opens August 9.