Lobster summit to focus on marketing and economics

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

A lobster summit is in the works for October but unlike lobster sessions that usually focus on conservation or science, this one is targeting marketing and economics.

“If the lobster pie is bigger, than everyone makes more money,” says Andy Chapman of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, which is organizing the Oct. 15-16 event in Halifax.

Atlantic Canada’s lobster fishery contributes to the livelihood of more people than any other fishery. The thought process is to see how the industry can generate more revenue.

“We’re bringing in leading-edge experts, both national and international, to discuss critical issues, get them on the table, and see if we can come up with a consensus to collectively focus on making the lobster pie bigger,” says Chapman. “Where is our product going? How do we deal with market gluts? Are there emerging markets we can get into? What are the quality issues?”

Denny Morrow, the executive director of the Nova Scotia Fish Packers Association, who is also on the summit’s steering committee, says many challenges are impacting the industry.

“International seafood markets are increasingly competitive. There are new aquaculture species seemingly available in greater quantity at good prices and with excellent quality control,” he notes. “We’re facing challenges from animal rights people over humane handling of our catch. We’ve had exchange rate adjustments with the product that’s exported to the United States.”

Also he says there is changing tastes as new generations of people become consumers.

“I think the lobster industry has got to understand that the lobster boil, for many people in younger generations, is not an attractive way to prepare the product.”

For the most part, Morrow says fishermen are largely cut off from these economic issues.

“We thought bringing in processors, live lobster exporters, some of our customers – restaurant and grocery chain people – together with fishermen, we could discuss what’s happening and work together.”

Not all licence holders from Newfoundland to Quebec will fit in one room so invitations will be going out to port reps from each area. From there, registration will likely be opened up on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“If there is more money to be made we have to start working together as an industry, rather than working as opposing forces,” says Chapms. “We have to pull together and become one great force.”

When the summit is held, organizers will try to keep government to a minimum in the room.