Premier Robert Ghiz informed that the fishermen of Prince Edward Island are in search of new markets for their lobster fishery. He added that the Island is working with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for an Asian trade mission that could take place as early as January. He also told that the provinces want to develop new markets for lobster, particularly in China, so the region doesn’t have to rely so heavily on the U.S. market.
According to Ghiz it is impossible, first of all, for government to control lobster prices. He opined that the government is also working on some marketing strategies, and perhaps a trade mission as early as January or February to go to China, or somewhere like that, and look for some new markets. Presently, they are reliant on US market but it is slowing down and this has forced the fishermen to look for other alternative in order to survive.
It is told that earlier this month, lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia protested the prices they were getting. Island fishermen are fearful what that may mean for prices for the spring and fall lobster fishery in P.E.I. Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, an Island MP, acknowledged the current economic recession creates a huge challenge for fishermen.
Shea also said that this will spill over to P.E.I. next year, if the market doesn’t recover quickly. The fishermen will be affected, but to what degree remains to be seen.
