Lobster fishermen report lower prices but catches on a par with last year off Cape Breton

SYDNEY, N.S. — While prices were on the low side, lobster catches were on par or a bit better than last year in eastern Cape Breton, the region’s acting area director for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says.

The season in lobster fishing area 27, which runs from Cape North to near Gabarus, recently drew to a close. Paul Gentile noted that catches were perhaps a bit above average in the southern portion of the region, while central and northern portions were on par with last year.

Prices were a bit low, however, he added.

“(It was) due to demand and the strength of the Canadian dollar in the U.S, marketplace, so for some they found it challenging because they were having relatively decent landings but the pricing was impacting their capacity to offset costs,” Gentile said.

Rising fuel prices were a major concern for fishermen, he added.

“Fuel prices had reached national highs in a lot of cases - the fishing industry requires diesel fuel just like anyone else needs to run their plant or their equipment, so they were impacted by the high cost of fuel,” he said.

(From the Cape Breton Post/Transcontinental Media)