By Eric McCarthy
ALBERTON - There was room for price optimism as close to 600 north side lobster fishers set out with their gear Saturday, April 30, said the executive director of the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association, Ian MacPherson.
He said most of Nova Scotia's inventory has been cleared out and demand appears to be up from previous years.
A shortage of smaller lobster tails bodes well for the processing sector, he suggested.
And MacPherson insisted prices need to be up to make it worthwhile for fishers to set their traps. Fishers already know fuel costs will be significantly higher than last year, and they are bracing for higher bait costs, he said.
MacPherson pointed to another price indicator. He said snow crab prices have improved this spring, and lobster is typically up accordingly.
Fishers will be landing a slightly larger lobster this year. The minimum carapace length has been boosted a millimeter to 71 millimeters.
