Critical Seafood Exports Showing Signs of Life
Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canadian seafood, especially lobster, is not just enjoyed by consumers around North America, but around the globe.
However, as you are aware, live lobsters don’t crawl to these foreign markets themselves. Part of the challenge for processors and buyers, notably for a live product such as lobster, is timely and efficient air cargo transportation.
Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, air shipments of live lobster from this region were on the ...
Knowledge Itself is Power
To the surprise of few, the current season in lobster fishing areas 33–34 is turning out to be a difficult one.
Everyone involved with what is one of the world’s largest lobster fisheries knew the chips were stacked against them this year. Some have even called it a perfect storm of decreased landings, markets and prices, combined with early foul and inclement weather.
From lower shore prices, to international market uncertainty, to the back-breaking jump in inflation — these ...
Adding Insult to Injury
Author Elizabeth Edwards once wrote, “She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”
With a challenging 2023 lobster season on the horizon, it looks as the though the resilient commercial fishermen in Southwest Nova Scotia might have quite a bit of metaphorical sail adjusting to do over the next six months.
Harvesters in this region are no strangers to adversity and they are certainly going to have to call upon that experience to navigate the ...
Ramping up the “Red List” Resistance
American author James C. Collins once said, “Bad decisions made with good intentions, are still bad decisions.”
After receiving and continuing to receive unmitigated backlash over its decision to “Red List” American lobster and Canadian snow crab, the California-based Monterey Bay Aquarium is sticking to its misguided guns — at least for now.
As everyone in the Atlantic Canadian fishing industry already knows, as part of its Seafood Watch Program, in September, the conservation ...
The Greying of the Fleet
Rodney Dangerfield once said “It’s great to have grey hair. Ask anyone who’s bald.”
And one does not have to visit too many commercial fishing wharves and harbours across Atlantic Canada to see plenty of examples of that grey hair peeking out from under ball caps.
According to the federal government, for the first time in Canada’s history, there are now more individuals over the age of 65 than there are children under the age of 15.
In Atlantic Canada, more than one in three ...
Review Ordered for N.L. Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act
After an embattled 2022 fishing season, with little or no signs of letting up, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act is about to be put under the microscope — again.
On July 21, N.L. Labour Minister Bernard Davis announced an independent review of the collective bargaining model contained in sections 19.1–19.14 of the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act. David Conway, former chair of the Labour Relations Board, has been appointed to undertake the ...
The Challenges of Making Ends Meet
The late English comedian Les Dawson once said, “The way prices are rising, the good old days are last week.”
It appears Atlantic Canadians’ fixation of talking about weather fluctuations has been overshadowed of late by tales of price fluctuations — fluctuations unfortunately headed in the wrong direction.
The price of practically everything has gone up and the fishing industry is no exception. Just ask any lobster fishermen in the region.
During the summer of 2020, fishermen ...
The By-Products of Warming Waters
“I’m glad it’s finally hot enough to complain about how hot it is.”
Atlantic Canadians love and hate their weather. For generations, due to our specific geography, the weather has always been the number one topic of conversation. Lately, nearly all conversations have centred on the oppressive heat.
Almost every region of Atlantic Canada, from Comfort Cove to Canso to Crapaud to Caraquet, have reported record high temperatures this summer. “Hotter than a two-dollar pistol,” ...
Moratorium Announced for 3Pn4RS Gulf Cod
Recreational Groundfish Fishery Will Continue in Impacted Regions
Ironically, just two days after the 30th anniversary of the infamous 2J3KL Northern cod moratorium, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) surprised some when it announced there will be no directed commercial fishing of Northern Gulf cod this year in the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO division 3Pn4RS).
DFO said the moratorium was implemented because the Northern Gulf cod stocks are deep in the critical ...
Atlantic Seal Science Task Team Report Well Received
Seals chowing down on lucrative, commercial fish species in Atlantic Canadian continues to be one of the biggest worries and complaints harvesters in the region have — but argue that their concerns are falling on deaf ears.
However, is that finally about to change?
In May, Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray, released the report from the Atlantic Seal Science Task Team (ASSTT).
The Task Team was established in March 2020 to gather input on science activities and programs related ...
Critical Seafood Exports Showing Signs of Life
Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canadian seafood, especially lobster, is not just enjoyed by consumers around North America, but around the globe. However, as you are aware, live lobsters don’t crawl to these foreign markets themselves. Part of the challenge for processors and buyers, notably for a live product such as lobster, is timely and efficient air cargo transportation. Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, air shipments of live lobster from this region were on the ...