Lobster prices in P.E.I. similar to last year, but rising fuel costs have had impact

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Donnie MacPhee was on his manner residence when he noticed the truck.

“Lobsters. Canners: $9.00. Markets: $10.00,” the signal learn.

MacPhee stopped in and acquired one market lobster — the larger measurement — to make lobster rolls for him and his spouse.

He was considered one of a number of prospects who stopped by Mike Lannigan’s truck within the Nimrod’s car parking zone in Stratford whereas SaltWire Community spoke with Lannigan on Might 12.

Lannigan, who works on his father’s boat, the Rising Solar, says their costs are a bit under final 12 months.

“We’re $9 and $10. The shore worth now could be $8.50 and $9. So, I come from Montague, so I put an additional buck on it.”

The rising value of gasoline has had some affect, however so have the opposite rising prices, stated Lannigan.

“Little little bit of every part, proper? Identical as any enterprise, going to throw it off just a little bit. Every part all goes up, the bait and every part else. We nonetheless make a go of it. That’s the great thing about it proper? I’m not complaining, that’s for certain.”

On March 30, the Division of Fisheries and Oceans introduced it could shut down the Atlantic Canada mackerel fishery for the 2022 season.

At a look

• The industrial lobster fishing season in P.E.I. started on Might 3 for lobster fishing areas 23, 24, 26a and 26b.
• Fishers will not be sure when the season will finish as a result of it began late after climate and dredging delays.

Supply: Earlier SaltWire reporting

On condition that mackerel is a standard bait fish, SaltWire Community requested Lannigan if this resolution impacted the underside line.

Lannigan and his colleagues use some mackerel, however in addition they use quite a lot of different bait, so he isn’t seeing main prices, he stated.

“Not but. It would have an effect on subsequent 12 months, proper? When you use mackerel, it should in all probability have an effect on these boys.”

Extra sellers

Over on the No Frills car parking zone in Stratford, a vendor from Campbell’s Deep Sea Fishing stated costs are on par with final 12 months.

Whereas the vendor wasn’t keen to offer his title, he did give info on costs and rising gasoline prices.

“Canners are $9.50. The markets are $10.50,” he stated. “Three weeks in the past, Nova Scotia was $17.50.”

He famous bills have “gone loopy” with gasoline prices, but it surely hasn’t modified what they’re charging prospects.

“We had been at $9.50 and $10.50 final summer time.”

The vendor additionally defined canner and market measurement lobsters are measured and marked, with the canners weighing in round three quarters of a pound and the markets going between one and two kilos.

Not a lot change

Tyson Orsatti, proprietor of the Juliann Rachel, says that is his first 12 months with the fleet, however costs are about on par with the previous two seasons.

“It’s an honest worth, however if you’re first beginning out you all the time need just a little bit extra.”

Orsatti fishes each market and canner sizes, he stated, noting P.E.I. is considered one of few locations that also has sufficient demand to promote canner-sized lobster.

As an alternative of establishing a truck, he sells to Machon Level Fisherman’s Co-op, which then sells them by the pound, he stated.

“Every part’s going fairly good, for my first 12 months anyhow,” he stated. “That’s about all I can ask for.”

Logan MacLean is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. @loganmaclean94