N.B. fishermen optimistic about future of the scallop fishery

By Joan LeBlanc

FOR THE SOU’WESTER

Fishermen in southeastern New Brunswick are cautiously optimistic about the future of the scallop fishery in the Northumberland Strait as they have been realizing better catches in this season compared to those in recent previous years.

The scallop-fishing season for scallop fishing area (SFA) 22, which takes in the northwestern portion of the Northumberland Strait – including wharves in Port Elgin, Murray Corner, Cape Tormentine, Amos Point, and Shemogue – opened May 1 and runs to June 7, with fishing prohibited on Sundays. There is no maximum quota attached to the scallop fishery.

Murray Corner fisherman Stewart Field has been plying the waters of the Northumberland Strait for many years. He said most local fishermen are getting better catches over those of 2007.

“Everyone seems to be doing better. I think it’s finally starting to get better all round,” Field said, referring to the dismal landings fishermen had been continually reporting for about the past dozen years.

He explained many local fishermen believe that the construction of the Confederation Bridge, beginning in 1993 and culminating with its opening to the public in June 1997, contributed to the drastic decline in many Northumberland Strait fish species, including scallops, lobster and herring.

“I said when they built the bridge it would take about 15 years for the fish to come back the way they were before (the bridge construction started). And it’s been 14 years now and things are finally starting to come around. But it’s been tough over the years,” Field said, adding fishermen have also noted an increase in the number of small scallops now appearing in the strait.

“One thing we do see is there’s a lot of small scallops and that’s a good sign. We probably haven’t seen this since before the bridge was built…the water is much cleaner now than it’s been for a long time,” he said, explaining that cleaner water allows the small scallops easier access to feed.

Field noted that as recent as just three years ago area scallop fishermen were unable to fish within a close proximity to the bridge due to excessive sediment in the water, which they believed caused the scallops there to be small in size and poorer in quality.

“But the meat (of the scallops) is good now right up to the bridge, with about a 32 meat count; and that’s good,” he said.

Field said although the catches have improved, the price fishermen are receiving from buyers is significantly less than that of last year.

“We’re getting $6 per pound this year; that’s down $1.50 from last year, with a 44 meat count (regulation which states fishermen must have 44 or less scallops to make up a pound). We’re paying a lot more for fuel this year and that takes more out of the profits,” he said.

Field travels about four miles east of the Confederation Bridge to scallop beds in that area, which translates to more than two hour’s sailing time for the return trip.

Field said with the clearing of the water and other more positive signs that have become evident over the past year, he’s also optimistic that the lobster landings will increase again this year as well.

“We saw a bit of difference in the lobster fishing last year so we’re hopeful things are going to be looking better there too. We saw a lot of shorts (young lobsters) last fall and that’s the first we’ve seen in quite a number of years,” he said.

(Joan LeBlanc is a freelance journalist from New Brunswick and a contributor to the Sou’Wester.)