Foreign Demand for P.E.I. Seafood Growing
Despite being heavily affected by Hurricane Fiona and rising costs, interest in Prince Edward Island seafood has remained strong.
Jamie Fox, the Minister of Fisheries and Communities for P.E.I., has cause to celebrate 2022 despite all the hardships the industry has undergone. Along with the other Atlantic provinces, his department has made major strides in communication with the federal government and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
“One of the big things this year was our ...
New Interactive P.E.I. Map Aims to Help Consumers Know Their Shellfish
Above: Raquel Burrows (left) and Chef Paul Lillakas at Sea Rocket Restaurant, P.E.I. Photo courtesy of Crystal MacGregor
The Food Island Partnership, an industry-led organization meant to promote the food industry in Prince Edward Island, recently launched an interactive map meant to connect consumers to the source of their locally-harvested oysters.
The map includes 10 regions around the island in which the oysters are harvested, as well as information about the local process...
Strong Landings During P.E.I. Spring Lobster Fishery
Rising Operating Costs Negatively Impacted Enterprises’ Bottom Lines
While the final tally isn’t in, lobster landings in Prince Edward Island’s spring lobster fishery were solid this year.
“We do not have official landings for the spring 2022 lobster fishery at this point, but reportedly overall landings have been strong. They may be off slightly over last year but officially that remains to be confirmed,” says Molly Aylward, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen...
P.E.I. Spring Lobster Fishery Gets Off to Late Start
Aside from the weather delay for the season start in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 24, 26a and 26b, everything was a go for the Prince Edward Island spring lobster fishery.
“I think fishermen are optimistic going into the season. We understand inventories are lower than in past years so that’s usually helpful,” said Ian MacPherson, senior advisor with the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA). “There’s a lot of enthusiasm to get out on the water and get fishing.”
Going into ...
Seafood Sector Worth $1.2 Billion Annually to P.E.I. Economy
‘We’re in a good position as a province,’ says Minister
The seafood industry continues to be a driving force for the Prince Edward Island economy, powered by the production of mussels and oysters and the commercial lobster fishery.
According to the PEI Seafood Sector Economic Contribution Study released in October 2021, the economic value of the P.E.I. seafood industry in 2019 had a combined economic impact of $1.2 billion to the Island’s economy.
“That’s a huge ...
P.E.I. Fishermen Asking for Early Opening in LFA 26A and Flexibility in LFA 24
Conservation concerns with fishing into July have prompted Prince Edward Island lobster fishermen in lobster fishing area (LFA) 26A to vote in favour of moving the season opening date ahead four days to April 26 with the season closing four days earlier than usual.
The online vote held in December was organized by the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) following the season review meeting of the PEIFA LFA 26A Lobster Advisory Committee.
Concerns were raised around additional handling ...
Record-Setting Lobster Prices Continuing into Fall on P.E.I.
With record shore prices, strong landings and available plant labour until the end of the season, the lobster fishery has been a good news story on P.E.I. in 2021.
With more than a month to go in the LFA 25 fishery which closes Oct. 10, “landings have been holding strong,” said Molly Aylward, the new executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA).
In early September, fishermen were fetching $8 to $8.50/pound for canners and $9 to $9.50 for market size. The price is ...
Full Production of P.E.I-Manufactured Alternative Bait Expected by October
Above: Wally MacPhee and Mark Prevost, founders of Bait Masters in Nine Mile Creek, P.E.I., plan to begin full production of their alternative bait product this fall. Contributed photo
A Prince Edward Island company has plans to be in full production of an alternative bait product for the lobster and snow crab fisheries by this October.
Bait Masters was founded by Mark Prevost and Wally MacPhee of Nine Mile Creek, P.E.I. Prevost was a commercial fisherman, while MacPhee ...
Big Catches, Record Shore Prices in P.E.I. Lobster Fishery
It’s been a banner year so far for the lobster industry on Prince Edward Island.
The landings have been solid, the shore price record-setting and processors have been able to secure an adequate workforce.
“We got our labour and we got our labour on time,” said Jerry Gavin, executive director of the P.E.I. Seafood Producers Association.
Gavin said there were some challenges in getting temporary foreign workers to Canada this year. Workers from Mexico and the Caribbean had to be ...
Long on Fish Tales, Short on Facts
Cooper Institute Distorts the Story in P.E.I.’s Lobster Industry
As advocates for Prince Edward Island’s seafood processors, we feel compelled to respond to the recently released Safe at Work, Unsafe at Home: COVID-19 and Temporary Foreign Workers in Prince Edward Island by the Charlottetown-based Cooper Institute.
Its authors used questionable methodology to promote simplistic solutions and to disparage the reputation of our members.
Over the last decade, acute labour ...
