Low Lobster Prices

NS: Low prices “killing” fishermen, says union head
By Sherry Martell, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Truro Daily News, May 5, 2010

[TONEY RIVER, NS] — Increased lobster landings early in the season could spell disaster for Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Strait fishermen concerned about dropping prices.

While most of the fishing fleet was grounded by strong winds on Tuesday, the third day of the season, those that braved the choppy waters were paid $3.25 for canner-size and $3.75 for market-size lobster.

“I think P.E.I. is to blame for the price we are receiving right now,” said Darryl MacIvor, Lismore fisherman and president of the local Maritime Fisherman’s Union.

He said fishermen in the neighbouring province are creating a glut on the market, bringing in catches so large processors can’t keep up with the supply.

“They are calling our buyers and offering to sell it to them at a lower price than what they are paying us because they can’t handle the volume going in over there,” he said. “That is the reality. Fishermen here are concerned about price and the possibility that they may not be able to sell their lobsters to buyers at the end of the week.”

Another issue compounding the concern is traditionally prices drop following Mother’s Day when lobster is in great demand.

During opening week in 2009 fishermen were paid $4.50 per pound for market lobsters and about $7 per pound the previous year.

MacIvor said fishermen in the Lismore area landed between 800 to 1,200 pounds of lobster on Monday following a double soak, or two-day set in the Strait.

Fishermen from Big Island east to the Canso Causeway have voluntarily reduced the number of traps used this season from 300 to 275.

They have also voluntarily increased the minimum size of canner lobsters one millimetre to 74 millimetres to promote conservation. The minimum size of a market-size lobster is 81 millimetres.

“We knew this low price was coming so we voluntarily increased the size because if we’re not getting paid for the little ones, why bring them in?” said the president.

Catches are up from last year all along the coast from Ballantyne’s Cove to Wallace but MacIvor said the low price is “killing” fishermen who are landing catches less than 300 pounds a day.

“It’s better than they have been getting but the price is really hurting them,” he said. “It’s disastrous.”