Rumoured low prices for fishermen

The rumours might be fact by this publication date.

Fish harvesters in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33 started their season 7 a.m. on Nov. 26.

“We’ve had a very slow start to the season,” said Bill Wolfe, Conservation Protection Supervisor for the Liverpool Detachment of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

He said inclement weather and high winds are to blame.

“Basically the first two days, setting day and hauling day were almost a write off,” he commented.

The quality of the lobsters has been dubbed as “very good.”

However, a small quantity of soft shell lobsters are showing up in rough shape due to recent storms, he said.

Wolfe said the quantity of lobster is either down or at par compared to last year.

He also noted there are 150 “A class” fish harvesters and 15 “B class” fish harvesters.

“A” fish harvesters are full-time fishermen with a 250-trap limit, while a “B” is someone who has or may have had had another full-time job with a 75-trap limit.

While the “A class” licenses are transferable, “B class” is not, he added.

There are very few “B” fishermen left in this detachment area, he said.

Just a few days into the season, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Liverpool Detachment discovered a few violations.

“We have had two minor log book violations,” said Wolfe.

They received warnings because the infractions were first time offenses, he added.

The fisheries officers apprehended and charged a Riverport man for possessing four “berried” lobsters.

A “berried” lobster is a female with eggs, explained Wolfe.

He has a Jan. 30, 2008 court date.

The local detachment will be patrolling as patrols have been “stepped” up along the coastline, said Wolfe.

The lobster season ends May 31, 2008.

There are over 700 fish harvesters in South West Nova Scotia.