ALBERTON, PEI – The executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association is optimistic the upward movement in lobster prices won't end with the Mothers Day weekend.
Ian MacPherson said he's been hearing prices in the $4.25 per pound range being paid to fishers for canner lobsters this week. Market lobsters are fetching about 50 cents more per pound.
Prices this time last year were around $3.25 to $3.50 a pound for canners and $3.75 to $4.00 a pound for markets.
"It's up from last year," MacPherson acknowledged, "but, still, costs are up from last year, too."
The executive director is optimistic price will continue to improve even after the traditionally busy Mothers Day weekend. "There's not a lot of inventory. The catches are down. The water is cold. We expect prices to remain strong," he said.
"We keep pushing for that $5.00 mark, because that's a good number for everybody to be in."
Prices were in the $5.25 and $6.25 range a decade ago.
While price is moving in the right direction, MacPherson said catches, so far, aren't.
Most of the ports he has been in contact with reported landings are down a bit from last year.
(The Journal Pioneer, TC•Media)
