P.E.I. fishermen hoping for good prices when lobster season opens

By Andy Walker

SOU’WESTER

As they prepared to head out on the water for the spring lobster season, P.E.I. lobster fishermen were optimistic about the prices they would receive.

"The US market for live lobster is virtually empty," said Ron Caissie, president of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association. "Even with the higher exchange rate and the slow down in the American economy we expect to see solid prices for lobster going into the live market."

Shore prices for spring lobster averaged $5.35 per pound for canners and $6.21 per pound for markets in 2007 according to association statistics.

Craig Avery, president of the Western Gulf Fishermen's Association, recently returned from the Lobster Town Hall meeting in Portland, Maine, an annual gathering of lobster industry fishermen, buyers and retailers from the U.S. and Canada.

"We were told by some of the largest brokers and retailers in the U.S. that we could expect prices equivalent to 2007," said Avery.

"Inventories are low given the poor landings in the Gulf of Maine and southwest Nova Scotia this winter," he observed, "and the market is waiting for our spring lobster to fill the gap."

The troubled U.S. economy has been a cause of concern for Island fishermen.

"There has been some consumer resistance to higher priced restaurant meals," said Ed Frenette, executive director of the PEIFA. "But this is expected to be balanced off by the lower landings this past winter. Our spring lobster is the highest quality and is in demand by brokers and retailers in both the U.S. and Canada."

Much of P.E.I.'s spring lobster landings are destined for markets in Europe and Asia. With much better exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and European and Asian currencies, Frenette said, "we expect PEI products such as lobster tails and popsicle packs to hold their own in those markets.”

Frenette said the industry must concentrate much harder on marketing and the development of new lobster products to secure a place in the international market place. He added the competition is tough from lobster products from Australia, Chile and the US and "competitors are engaged in strong marketing efforts around the world. Our industry has to keep up or we will fall behind."

The PEIFA is awaiting the appointment of a marketing analyst to the provincial Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development that was promised last year. Caissie said accurate, up to date product and market information is vital to the future of our fishery, and he is hoping the position will be filled soon.

"We also would like to open discussions with Fisheries Minister Allan Campbell and Island processors on establishing a mechanism by which P.E.I. fishermen will have some direct input to the establishment of shore prices," he said. "Traditionally, we've had to take whatever we were offered, but today our future rests on harvesting for the market. It will be a different fishery and new approaches are required."

Caissie said fishermen, processors and the provincial government each have an important and equitable role to play in attaining the highest economic return for our industry.