The solidarity Prince Edward Island fishermen built to hold out for better prices started to collapse Monday, prompting most lobster fishermen to return to the water Tuesday morning ending a week-long strike that paralyzed the industry.
North side fishermen from Seacow Pond to Red Head voted to return to fish, which essentially ended the lobster strike.
There were suggestions south side fishermen may stay in port for another day out of respect for Nova Scotia fishermen who joined the boycott along with fishermen from New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
“We won’t be fishing in our port Tuesday, but I don't know how long that will last,’’ said Beach Point fisherman Donnie Johnston.
Island fishermen were trying to get a better price but the swelling ranks of support from fishermen across the Maritimes started to unravel when fishermen in Tignish and Seacow Pond hauled lobster Monday.
Meetings and conference calls were held throughout Monday night to staunch the flow, but the lack of options and fear of losing what’s left of the eight-week season, caused support to dwindle.
In one port, the vote was two-thirds in favor of returning to fishing.
