P.E.I. fishermen worried about lobster season
CBC News
Posted: Aug 4, 2012 7:13 PM AT
Last Updated: Aug 4, 2012 7:42 PM AT
Lobster fishermen in Miminegash, P.E.I., say they're worried about their fall season because of low lobster prices in New Brunswick.
Three processing plants in southeastern New Brunswick were blockaded by hundreds of fishermen upset the plants were bringing in cheap American lobster.
A glut of American lobster has processors in New Brunswick selling for around $2 per pound. That has fishermen there worried about selling their catches when the season starts Thursday.
Now, some Island fishermen tell CBC News they're concerned prices on the Island will also fall and thinking twice about heading out.
"The fishermen in New Brunswick and P.E.I. cannot possibly untie their boats for that price," Mark MacRae said. "With the expenses of your men, your crew, your bait, and your fuel, there's no possible way you can do it."
This Thursday is the first day of the season, but it'll be weeks before they know what their catch is worth.
On Friday, the PEI Fisherman's Association said it's confident about demand for P.E.I. lobster and the price would remain strong.
MacRae said he's not convinced.
"It's going to affect, because they can't pay $5 a pound. We're getting over there for $2 and trying to get that processed lobster in the market later on. So they're pretty well going to have to stay par with what they're paying over there."
They're upset canners were in high demand weeks ago.
Now, they've been replaced in New Brunswick processing plants by what they claim are inferior soft shell lobsters from Maine.
"We don't mind them if they need some to top up their inventory or something,it shouldn't be a full-time deal and excuse for them to bring our price down," said Stanley Gallant, another fisherman on the Island.
A number of fishermen from the Island say they are planning to go to New Brunswick on Sunday to show their support for fishermen there as they meet to discuss a deal the New Brunswick government has proposed.
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