According to the P.E.I. government only two of five points are done deals in a plan for the lobster industry. It is mentioned that the P.E.I. is putting $8 million into the plan, but it needs agreement from the federal government for changes to the EI program for fishermen, to allow buyback of lobster licences and take part in a jointly funded marketing promotion. But that agreement is not yet finalized. Fisheries Minister Neil LeClair said that this plan is no doubt useful for the province.
He told that the government wanted to get the plan out there to show to the industry that they are working towards something and we’re not just saying things. He further said that the government has actually a plan in place that we want to work toward, and we come a long way in discussions with the other parties involved. It is informed that the province does intend to begin as early as Friday with one part of the plan: Buying canners (lobsters one pound or under) in an effort to shore up prices that are at their lowest in 20 years.
It is said that the extension of a low-interest loan program for lobster fishermen is also a sure thing, which will help the fishermen in many ways. LeClair said that the government is buying of canners, and putting them live in holding tanks for later sale, could begin Friday, the government hasn’t decided how much of the $8 million will be used for that purpose.
