Processors Set 1000 Lb Limit In PEI as Heavy Lobster Harvest Strains Capacity, Pushes Down Prices
SEAFOODNEWS.COM by Michael Ramsingh and John Sackton - May 28, 2015
As many predicted this year, the combination of a compressed season and shortage of labor has hit the PEI lobster industry hard. Earlier this week, some harvesters were bringing in 2000 lbs per day, in an effort to maximize their volume given the short season, and uncertainty about whether DFO will allow an extension. The 8 week season, ending June 30th, was delayed 11 days by lingering ice this year.
This caused the fishery to miss the Mother's Day traditonal window, and the lack of sales volume has hurt wholesale pricing.
Compoundng the issue is the shortage of labor in processing plants, as the Canadian federal government has made it more difficult for lobster processors to employ foreign workers. The result is thousands of pounds of lobster with nowhere to go in some ports...
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