Lobster Landings Solid in LFAs 33 and 34

Above photo: Woods Harbour fisherman Sandy Goreham carries a trap while loading the Theresa and Cole at the Lower Woods Harbour wharf.

Halifax Airport Gears Up for Busy Cargo Season

The lobster season is well underway in southwestern Nova Scotia, with solid landings, a strong shore price and firm market conditions during the opening month.

The season opened on November 28 after a one-day weather delay for the close to 1,700 fishing vessels in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33 and 34. Dumping day went off without incident, although there were a few minor incidents the following day when fishermen were met with gales of wind.

Landings for the opening week appeared to be on par with last year, said Lockeport buyer Mike Cotter. “Some of the fishermen are doing very well,” he said.  “Weather providing, I think we’re going to see a good season.”

Processing and live market conditions were also looking positive going into the holiday season, Cotter said.

“I think the markets are fairly strong. The markets are always good for good lobster,” he said.

Price-wise, fishermen were fetching between $5.50-$5.75/pound during the opening week of the season. That price was expected to change as the month played out, depending on supply and demand.

Duty-free live lobster exports to Europe took affect on September 21 under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and was expected to increase export demand during the holiday season. Previously, live lobster exports into Europe carried an eight per cent tariff. Under CETA, tariffs on frozen and processed lobster will also be phased out over the next three to five years.

In anticipation of increased seafood exports, Halifax Stanfield International Airport has “secured additional cargo flights that now have direct access to both Europe and Asia,” said Bert van der Stege, Chief Commercial Officer for Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA).

“Cargo growth, especially in the seafood sector, continues to be very strong at Halifax Stanfield. One fully loaded Boeing 777 contributes $1.5-million to our local economy, so it really shows the significance of the role we play in facilitating exports. HIAA is optimistic this year will see the same strong holiday growth and prospect for exports. The recently approved CETA agreement has increased demand in Europe and is a tremendous opportunity for seafood suppliers from the Atlantic Region.”

In 2016, more than $404 million in exports, mainly consisting of seafood, totalling over 33,000 metric tonnes, was shipped from Halifax International, said Nicole Scaplen, marketing and communications manager for HIAA.

“This growth has continued into 2017 where exports are up almost 12.5 per cent as of the end of August. This increase in driven by high value/high demand seafood products like our famous Nova Scotia lobster.”

Scaplen said the cargo logistical chain operating out of Halifax Stanfield was “gearing up for the same strong performance expected during the busy holiday season with additional cargo flights going into Europe and Asia. Currently, Halifax Stanfield is served year-round with scheduled cargo freighter services offered by Korean Air, into South Korea and by Cargojet, direct into Germany and Qatar, direct into Spain and on to Doha, Qatar. HIAA continues to work with current and new operators on seasonal flights and long-term opportunities to ensure Nova Scotia exports reach global markets,” she said.

The total value of Canadian lobster exports in 2016 topped $2.15 billion, with $1.35-billion shipped south of the border to the U.S., according to statistics from the Lobster Council of Canada.

Lobster landings and values have hit record highs in recent years for LFAs 33 and 34.

According to DFO, preliminary statistics, the total preliminary landings combined from both LFAs weighed in at 39,200 tonnes with a landed value of $570 million for the 2015-16 season. Preliminary data for 2016-17 indicates landings were just over 30,200 tonnes with a landed value of $490 million for both LFAs combined.