Lobster fishery soon to be certified sustainable

P.E.I. lobster should be certified environmentally sustainable before fishermen go back out on the water again.

The P.E.I. Fishermen's Association hopes Island lobster will be certified as environmentally sustainable by mid-December, in plenty of time for the opening of the spring fishery in May.

The fishery is in the last stage of approval to earn Marine Stewardship Certification.

The certification would apply to lobster caught last season as well, which means processors may be able to put MSC stickers on their products before Christmas. Fishermen's association executive director Ian MacPherson said that could boost sales.

"Some of our plants have a lot of customers in Europe, and the acceptance and the demand for that type of product is quite high," said MacPherson.

"It would be ideal to have that type of product in the stores by Christmas."

MacPherson said between $60,000 and $70,000 has been invested so far in the certification. There will also be ongoing user fees and costs to continue being certified under the program.

The certification is essential, he said, as more retailers, including Walmart and Sobeys, are requiring certification for products to be stocked.