Lobster size minimums to increase, say federal officials

New Brunswick lobster fishermen are "ecstatic" about the federal government's decision to increase the minimum size for lobster harvested between the southeast of the province and P.E.I.,by five millimetres over the next three years.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada issued a notice on Friday, informingharvestersof the change for the western half of the Northumberland Strait, known as Lobster Fishing Area 25.

"Our harvesters feel this is an historical decision," saidChristian Brun,executive secretaryof the Maritime Fishermen's Union in New Brunswick.

Long-standing dispute

It comes after a long-standing dispute betweenfishermen in New Brunswick and P.E.I. over carapace size, he said.

New Brunswick fishermen, who make up the majority of harvesters in the zone,contend larger lobster will:

• Fetch better prices.
• Bemore appealing to consumers.
• Be morecost-effective for processors.
• Help to create a more sustainable fishery.

"It's not just about this year, it's not just about 10 years from now,there are other generations that have to benefit from this fishery," said Brun.

"So it's very important. It's extremely important."

Thelegalharvestingsize will increase by one millimetre to 73 mm this season, and will further increase to 75 mm in 2017 and 77 mm in 2018,according to the government notice.

• P.E.I. fishermen aren't happy with the lobster size increase
• N.B., P.E.I. clash over catching larger lobsters

"This decision was taken after numerous consultation meetings with First Nations, aboriginal organizations, industry, provincial governments and processors in New Brunswick, PrinceIsland and Nova Scotia over the last several years," the notice states.

Increasing the size will have conservation benefits, by allowing more female lobsters to reproduce, the notice said.

Three years to adjust

P.E.I. fishermen have long fought against increasing the carapace size, arguingthey have good markets for smaller lobster.

But Fisheries and Oceans Canada said increasing the sizegraduallyover three years will allow harvesters and markets to adjust.

Brun applauded Minister Hunter Tootoofor the making the decisionbased on "science-based arguments" and in the face of opposition.

Tootoo replaced P.E.I. native Gail Shea, who served as the MP for Egmont.

The P.E.I. Fishermen's Association plans to meet with Tootoo, said executive directorIanMacPherson. He contends the science does not support the size increase.

Further details on other management measures, as well as the opening date of the fishery will be issued at a later date, the notice said.

Lobster Fishing Area 25covers parts of New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.

There are 721 licences for fishing in that zone of the Gulf of St. Lawrence 470 from New Brunswick, 225 from P.E.I. and 16 from Nova Scotia.