PEIFA calls on fishermen to unite

The PEI Fishermen’s Association is calling upon all Prince Edward Island fishers to work together for the future of the PEI lobster fishery. “The fact that Prince Edward Island fishers this year received the lowest shore price for their lobster in the past quarter century is devastating. The pressure that all fishing families are currently under, as they have watched lobster prices plummet, is intense,” said Ken Drake, President of the association. “Livelihoods and families are at stake.”

The effect of this low shore price on Prince Edward Island fishing families is unique in Atlantic Canada. Though prices were low in other provinces, none fell as low as those paid to Prince Edward Island fishers. In some cases, the difference in shore price from province to province was very wide, and defies explanation. “We have verification of these numbers, and the numbers tell a shocking story,” said Drake.

Drake also points out that while all of rural Prince Edward Island’s economy is seeing a decline, that decline is particularly acute for boat builders, marine suppliers, retail and service businesses, all of whom are feeling the pinch even more strongly as a result of a disproportionately low shore price in Prince Edward Island.

The PEI fishing industry has changed dramatically in the last five years. There are far fewer competing buyers for lobster on the wharf. “Once upon a time, there were dozens of buyers. Now there are just a handful. Basic economics tells us that this can’t be a good

thing for fishermen trying to sell their catch and earn a living,” said Drake. “There is a great deal of concern among fishers as to why this is taking place, and it is the fishers who are bearing the brunt.”

Within the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association, there are separate lobster Advisory Boards comprised of fishers from each of lobster fishing Area 26A, 25, and 24. Drake says that each Board’s task is to deal with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Science, and local government to ensure “that we as fishers act as responsible custodians of our precious fishery resource. From time to time,” says Drake, “difficult decisions had to be made that caused hardship for fishers for the sake of our future and a sustainable fishery. Adjustments and sacrifices have been made and will continue to have to be made as necessary.”

One of those difficult decisions is related to rationalization of the PEI lobster fishery. Drake says that while catches in some areas are rebounding slowly, some form of rationalization is necessary. It will take cooperation from both governments and fishers to achieve an effective restructuring of the fishery. “The overarching goal,” said Drake, “is to rationalize our fishery over time so that we not only have a viable fishery from a conservation perspective, but an appropriate livelihood for fishers who continue into the future.” “But,” says Drake, ”the key issue is the all-important factor of shore price to fishers. If we have a shore price below the basic level needed for fishers to break even, any discussion of rationalization amounts to nothing.” “There must be a mechanism put in place to ensure a fair and equitable price for our lobster. Artificial prices given out a week or more into the season simply will not do.”

Drake says that the first step is development of a strategic marketing scheme that will provide value to both fishers and processors, and drive shore prices up. “Livelihoods are at stake here. We’ve got to be creative,” said Drake. “Fishers aren’t afraid of hard work, and our Association is ready to step up to the plate.” The future of the fishery and a viable livelihood for fishers is the utmost mandate at the PEIFA, says Drake. “We are fishers, and we’re working for fishers, so we’re all in this together. I encourage all our Island fishers, whether a member of the PEIFA or not, to get out and attend every meeting possible so that we have strength in numbers. It is vital that we always have a voice where the future of our fishery, our livelihoods and our families’ futures are discussed.”