Lobster prices climb from the depths but too late to make difference: fishermen

By Sherry Martell

Transcontinental Media

Lobster prices are on the rebound after weeks of sitting at rock bottom. On Monday, June 15, the shore price for market-size lobsters increased by about 50 cents per pound, now netting fishermen in northern Nova Scotia $4 per pound for their efforts. “It’s too little too late but at least it’s going the right way now,” said Barrachois, N.S. fisherman Stanley Reid. He said although the increase was positive the boost came too late in the season and may not be enough to compensate for the loss fishermen in less lucrative areas have already experienced.

At the beginning of the season lobster fishermen from Pugwash to Lismore received about $4.50 per pound for their catch, but three weeks into the season the shore price dropped to about $3.50 per pound, where it remained until this week. “It should never have gone that low in the first place,” said Reid. “ We got that back in the ’80s.”

The price increase also coincides with the approaching Father’s Day weekend that for some lobster pounds traditionally yields high sales.

Kim Gunning-Hill, general manager of the Lobster Pot in Lyons Brook, N.S. said for them, only Mother’s Day lobster sales top this weekend’s special occasion. “We have lots of orders already coming in,” said Gunning-Hill.

She said they see a unique trend in sales every year where on Mother’s Day they typically sell more of the market-size lobsters , but on Father’s Day the smaller canner-size lobsters are the most popular.

She said they have been in business for 24 years and have always sold 100 per cent local lobster.

While some fishermen are told by international buyers the price is low because of a depressed global market, the local market has remained strong. “There always seems to be a demand for them locally,” said Gunning-Hill. “We found we were a little bit busier this year.”

Some fishermen are not waiting to see if the price goes higher before the season closes on June 30 and have already begun the tedious task of landing their gear.