Bay of Fundy lobster fishermen pleased with quality, size of catches

Two days into the fall lobster season and Bay ofFundyfishermen coming ashore at the Dipper Harbour wharf Wednesday night said theyare encouraged by what they're seeing.

Fishermen set off early Tuesday morning to set their fall traps in lobster fishing areas 36, 37, and 38. Those areas span from GrandMananto Alma in a season which will continue until Jan. 14.

On the first night of bringing in hiscatch, BillVerbeekis happy with what is coming out of the water.

"It was very good today, we had a real good day," he said after unloading.

Good sizes

Lobsters in the areawere looking firm and full and sizes were also encouraging, he said.

"A majority are between 1-2.5 pounds," saidVerbeek, but he said his boat was often pulling three to fivepound lobsters also.

Fishermen will spendlong days on the water for weeks to come, butit's the first couple of weeks where the most money can be made, says MariaRecchia,executive director of theFundyNorth Fishermen's Association.

Lobster migration after the first week can see catch numbers decline, she said.

Prices fluctuate

Prices inevitably go up and down each season, but it's still a little early to predict what they'll look like over the long run, Recchiasaid.

"We never really know until the guys get paid."

WholesalerDarynJanesis currently paying $6.50 a pound. The owner ofFundyBay Seafood had only dealt with one seller, but he predicts prices won't go up any higher until closer to Christmas.

Still,Janessaid he's hoping for long nights ahead as boats bring in their catch.

"If they're short," he said."I'm in trouble."

Up to $7 per pound last year

The current prices aregood, Verbeek said, but he remains optimistic they'll increase.

"Hopefully, it goes up," he said."Last year, we were up to $7 a pound."

Watching the boats unload, retired lobster fishermanLorneEvans says he still enjoys the activity at the start of lobster season.

"It's nice just to get down to see what's going on," he saidsmiling."See what the boys are all doing."

Evans remembers a time in 1999 when he was getting $6 a pound for lobster considered to bea good price.

Prices at the start of this season were already50 cents higher.

Market locations see higher prices

And oneplace prices could continue to soar is at retail markets.

Earlier this year, New Brunswick markets reported seeing some of the highest prices in years.

One Saint John shop reported boosting its prices by $7 a pound over a two-year period.

Verbeeksaid whichever way lobster prices go this season,will depend on how good the catch is. At the moment, he said he's content to see hauls continue at their current rate so value doesn't drop.