With the commercial lobster fishery opening in southwestern Nova Scotia, there was optimism as well as apprehension about what the coming season will bring.
“I think fishermen are a little bit leery of the colder water like we had last year,” said Tommy Amirault, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association.
“They’re hoping the catches are a little bit better this fall. The market seems strong and hoping it stays strong through the season. Expenses are really high, especially bait. But we’re seeing colder water here lately on the bottom it seems. Not sure what’s causing that,” said Amirault.
Last season in lobster fishing areas (LFAs) 33 and 34, landings were down substantially for many fishermen in the fall but rebounded in the spring.
“I think we had a decent spring and that really helped. I think people would be a little leerier of this fall if we hadn’t had such a good spring. It was a good enough spring to give everybody a little more optimism,” said Amirault.
In LFAs 35, 36 and 38, where the seasons opened earlier this fall, the shore price has been in the $12/pound range.
“We’re hoping for the best season for everybody involved, but at the same time we recognize there are economic headwinds around the world impacting our client base,” said Kris Vascotto, executive director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance.
Vascotto also noted the water temperatures are basically where they were last year.
“It looks like a strong role, the environment and temperatures, is shaping how landings are coming in. We’re looking forward to how this plays out this year, but either way the shore sector is ready to go and is hoping for a positive, prosperous season for everyone involved.”
For the 2023/24 season, the LFA 33 and 34 lobster fishery caught 22,988 metric tonnes (MTs) of lobster with a landed value of $534 million, according to preliminary statistics from DFO.
In LFA 33, landings totalled 6,881 MT in the 2023/24 season, with a landed value of $163 million. In 2022/23, 7,692 MT were landed, valued at $154.8 million. In 2021/22, 7,302 MT were landed value at $176.1 million. In 2020/21, 7,269 MT were landed, valued at $143.3 million.
In LFA 34, landings totalled 16,107 MT in the 2023/24 season, with a landed valued of $371 million. In 2022/23, 16,707 MT were landed, valued at $334.9 million. In 2021/22, 19,587 MT were landed, valued at $448 million. In 2020/21, 21,216 MT were landed, valued at $400.3 million.
