Canada lobstermen lobby against fishery changes

Prince Edward Island is getting an early start in lobbying against a plan that would see the minimum size for legally-caught lobsters increased.

P.E.I. Fisheries Minister Ron MacKinley hopes to get ahead of any changes he says would hurt the lobster fishing industry.

"We're facing a real battle here I can see shaping up," said MacKinley.

The legal carapace size will increase by one millimetre to 72 in 2013, and there is now a lobby from processors and some fishermen in New Brunswick to increase it even more. How much more hasn't been decided by the groups, but one proposal suggests 74 mm in 2013 and 77 mm in 2014. The idea is to allow breeding lobsters to stay in the water longer, conserving the stock.

Ian MacPherson, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association, said there is also a commercial consideration. In recent years, New Brunswick has not been finding markets for the smaller lobsters.

Click here to read the full story from CBC News >

Subscribe

Want seafood news sent to your inbox?

You may unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. Diversified Communications | 121 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101 | +1 207-842-5500
None