P.E.I. tuna season re-opens following two-day closure due to Japanese holiday

Events thousands of kilometres away in Japan have been having an impact on the tuna season in P.E.I.

The season was closed for two days for a Japanese holiday, as well as to help shore up sagging prices. It was to re-open Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 5 a.m.

Prior to the re-opening 40 tonnes of tuna – 141 fish – had been caught by Island fishermen. The total quota is 150 tonnes.

Prices range from $1.50 a pound early in the season, before the fish packed on the fat, to as high as $18.50 a pound later in the season, said Ed Frenette, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association.

“The average is approximately $9 to $9.50 a pound.”

Frenette went on to say there is concern about prices, since expenses continue to climb.

Fishers based in Alberton, Tignish and other western ports have fared better, with high prices and bigger fish, he said.

(From the Journal Pioneer, Transcontinental Media)