Even before the spring lobster fishery was set to open, some North Shore fishermen were wishing the season was already behind them. It is said that the catches could follow a slight upward trend, experienced during the past two seasons, but the fishermen are more concern about the prices. It si expected that the buyers might offer rock-bottom prices of less than $4.50 a pound.
Fisherman Alan Buckler said that it’s not going to be very good by the sound of it, with the price so low. It is assumed that the fishermen might be offered less as more lobster fishing seasons open around the province this week, increasing the supply. Wallace fisherman Alton Brown informed that catches in his area have been poor for at least the past five years and with the price now so low, the future of the industry is looking bleak.
Allen opined that surviving in this season means one has to get through anything. He added that if the buyers become rigid and do not pay enough to allow fishermen to at least break even, many could choose to market directly to customers, enabling them to earn more.
