Lobster fishermen confused and frustrated over prices

P.E.I. fishermen have been championing the cause of the lobster industry, says the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association, and it's time for others to step up.

"Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of movement forward in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia," said executive director Ian MacPherson.

"At the end of the day P.E.I. has been the one championing the cause."

With the spring season on the Island coming up to the midway mark, the PEIFA says prices at the wharf in 2018 are comparable to what was being paid in 2002.

According to weekly fish price reports from the P.E.I. government, market-size lobsters were selling for $7.50 in May of last year, and between $6 and $6.50 earlier this month. The Lobster Fishers Marketing Board reports the price has since fallen to $5.50 to $6 for markets.

The PEIFA says fishermen have made investments to improve the quality of landed lobster, the catch in Maine was down, and economic conditions are good. In addition, the CETA trade agreement with Europe has lowered tariffs for live lobster.

But prices are still down.

P.E.I. lobster fishermen are currently paying a one cent a pound levy to the Lobster Fishers Marketing Board for lobster marketing. A one cent levy to raise marketing money for processors was recently suspended.

"We were showing signs of pulling together as an industry," said MacPherson.

"At this point it's only the harvesters that are investing in marketing."

The industry can't rely on governments to promote the industry, says MacPherson, and other sectors of the lobster industry needto do something to stem the current tide of decreasing prices.

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