The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries estimates the value of total fish landings in 2016 increased by 20 per cent to $261.7 million, a new all-time high for fish landings on P.E.I.
According to the provincial statistical review, molluscs and crustaceans continue to be the top species of the Island fishery, comprising 97.4 per cent of the total value of all fish landings.
Total lobster landings decreased by 5.1 per cent in 2016, but higher prices pushed total value up by 28.9 per cent to $193.6 million, also an all-time high. Back in 2002, total lobster landings were 19,906,854 pounds with a total value of $105,399,007. Last year, landings were 30,582,023 (the second largest total in 14 years behind the 32,209,203 in 2015). However, better prices in 2016 saw landed value increase from $150,190,049 in 2015 to $193,604,207 last year.
The value of other crustaceans and molluscs decreased by 2.5 per cent in 2016.
Landings of groundfish, pelagic and estuarial fish were 10.3 per cent lower than last year, falling to 12.2 million pounds; it’s the sixth straight year of decline.
Prices decreased in 2016 for cod (down by 4.2 per cent to 56.5 cents/lb.) and rock crab (down by 7.5 per cent to 49.4 cents/lb.). Higher prices were seen for herring (up by 77.6 per cent to 32.5 cents/lb.), mackerel (up by 27.8 per cent to 76.7 cents/lb.), snow crab (up by 38.9 per cent to $3.75/lb.), and mussels (up by 7.7 per cent to 70.0 cents/lb).
The aquaculture industry was worth $47,175,000 last year, divided into $32,625,000 for mussels, $11,050,000 for oysters and $3,500,000 for finfish. That compares to a total value of $31,880.000 in 2003.
