A protest over low prices for lobster continues throughout ports in eastern Canada.
Hundreds of boats remain tied up at docks as fishermen demand higher prices from processors. The protest mainly in the province of Nova Scotia. Although not as widespread, there have been similar protests in the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and even to parts of Quebec.
”..if [brokers] don’t need our fish, then what the hell are we fishing for?” Serge Shipley, spokesman for New Brunswick lobster fishermen
The Nova Scotia crews say at the price of $3.75 a pound, it doesn’t pay their costs of fuel, bait, insurance, labour etc. Other areas such as in Prince Edward Island, have been offered even lower prices.
Several hundred fishermen gathered in a hall in Antigonish, Nova Scotia yesterday for a heated meeting but which ended with a resolve of solidarity that they would not go out on the water again today. Following demands from the fishermen, the provincial minister of fisheries has committed to immediately organizing meetings between the fishers, and the processors. The fishermen say they want a price of $5 per pound , but have indicated that’s not a “line in the sand”
Late last week, lobstermen in PEI blocked a $200,000 dollar shipment of lobster from leaving the island which had come from the Magdelan Islands crossing PEI, headed for the US.
Lobster prices being offered by processers range throughout the maritimes from 2.75 to $3.75 for “canners” to $3.25-$3.75 for “market” size. Canners are smaller lobster between 250-375gm, while “market” lobster are above 375 gm (3/4pound and up)
When lobster season started at the beginning of the month fishermen discovered they were being offered lower prices than last year.
A meeting in PEI between the fishermen’s association and processors on Sunday led to no agreement. The processors claim there’s an oversupply and they can’t make any money if they pay more, a situation they say exists throughout the maritimes.
Serge Sippley, who represents protesting fishermen in southeastern New Brunswick, expressed frustration at the lack of interest in negotiating by the processing companies …
“It seems like they don’t even want it. At the end of the day we’re the backbone of the fishery. If you don’t have fishermen, you don’t have fish. And if [brokers] don’t need our fish, then what the hell are we fishing for?” he said.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.