The fishermen of Prince Edward Island are increasingly applying for a peddler’s licence after the troubled lobster season starts. The number of the applicant is almost double and is increasing fast. Experts believe that the sudden rise in the numbers of peddler’s licences came after the spring fishery was thrown into turmoil on May 5 when some buyers and processors refused to buy fish because of an over supply.
It is told that fishermen are also getting historic low prices, with canners going for $2.75 to $3 per pound and markets for $3.50. The provincial Department of Fisheries had received applications for 50 peddler’s licences by Thursday afternoon, May 7, of which 32 came from core fishermen. Fisheries Minister Neil LeClair on the eve of the lobster season opening opined that 17 Island fishermen had applied for peddler’s licences so they can sell their lobsters from the back of a truck.
LeClair also said that another 15 applications had come last week from non-fishermen, including lobster buyers, for a total of 32. This is the first time the province has approved peddler’s licences for fishermen, following regulation changes made by the province, so there should be no shortage of places to buy lobster.
