By Andy Walker
As P.E.I. lobster fishermen got ready for this spring’s season, they had one word on their lips – price.
More specifically, they wondered whether there was going to be an improvement over last year.
Island fishermen, like most of their counterparts throughout North America, saw a marked dip in shore prices for their 2009 landings. Over the winter both the industry and the provincial and federal governments took a number of measures designed to correct the situation.
Things like the creation of the lobster council, a rationalization plan that saw a number of licences retired in both the spring and fall fishery on the south side of the province where catches had been declining for some time, and aggressive marketing topped the list.
While a new era of co-operation was pledged between fishermen and processors, a very public battle at the legislature Standing Committee on Fisheries showed there was still plenty of progress to be made. The processors maintained island fishermen were paid the same for their product as their counterparts in Nova Scotia ¬¬– a contention hotly denied by the fishermen, who claimed they were $1 to $1.50 per pound behind the Bluenose province.
Before the season opened, the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association noted a number of positives including the fact demand for processed lobster was on the rise – that is good news since the vast majority of the Island catch is canners, which goes to processing.
They also were happy buyers for two new plants would be on Island wharves. Mazzetta took over the former Ocean Choice operation in Beach Point (which was closed for the 2009 season) and Minigoo Fisheries opened in Lennox Island. Despite being in bankruptcy and up for sale, Mariner Seafoods in Montague did open for the season.
“It’s up to P.E.I. processors to recognize that they have lobster products people want and demand prices from the market that ensure fishermen are paid fairly too,” said association executive director Ed Frenette just prior to the season opening. “There is also increased demand for something else P.E.I. can supply, smaller live lobsters. Consumers may be staying away from eating in restaurants, but they’re buying more lobster in supermarkets to eat at home.”
Despite that prices remained in the $2.75 to $3 range for canners for the first week of the season. However, there was an increase to $3.50 for canners and $4 for markets as Mother’s Day approached. Frenette said he was hopeful the demand for lobsters would remain strong for rest of the season for processed lobsters, but was concerned the live market would stay soft.
While it will be too late for this season, Island fishermen are now looking at establishing a commodity board under the province’s Natural Products Marketing Act. One meeting was already been held and Frenette said the process will continue over the coming months.
If, at some time in the future, the PEIFA endorses such an approach, it would require a minimum 60 per cent majority vote of lobster harvesters in an Island-wide plebiscite before it could be put in place.
