PEI Lobster Season Approaches

May 1st is the magic day in my part of Prince Edward Island. That’s the day when the boats set their traps for the first time in the waters in my area of the Northumberland Strait. The local fishermen believe the Northumberland Strait Lobsters just off the PEI shores are where you find the largest and tastiest  Atlantic Lobsters. It seems these lobsters feed mainly on the rock crab, so their diet is incredibly high in protein and the warmth of the local Strait waters in summer also might account for the amazing size of these PEI lobsters.

They fish May and June and then another part of Prince Edward Island has the right to fish lobsters for two months. The Fishery is extremely well regulated in Atlantic Canada. Small ones have to be thrown back, as do certain breeding age females, and any females presently showing eggs.

Hopefully the lobster Industry continues to be well managed and lasts for generations to come. The price fishermen receive per pound on PEI has been incredibly low in the last couple of years, yet the price per pound in most parts of Canada was between 10 and 18 dollars per pound retail. The fishermen in PEI are lucky to get $4.50 per pound from the dealer at the wharf. Considering the cost of diesel fuel, crew, maintenance, there is little left for the hard working lobster men and women who get up at 4:30 each morning to tend the traps.

Check out the short video on this site called, ‘A Day on a Lobster Boat’ to have the experience.