Sunny skies and calm waters a welcome start to P.E.I.'s spring lobster season

After strong winds delayed the opening of the P.E.I. spring lobster fishing season for several days, crews were finally able to take to the waters Friday.

"Today was gorgeous. Beautiful day, prime weather.Everything went real good," said Covehead fisherman Matthew Misener.

Setting day was originally scheduled for Monday, April 29, but the Department of Fisheries and Oceans delayed the opening because of high winds.

What followed would be further delays throughout the week until DFO announced the opening of the season would take place Friday.

"I've been waiting all winter for this, so it was really good to get out there," Misener said.

"We had a few windows where we could have went. It's not the same casefor all the harbours across the Island but it was a good call. This was the best day so far this week."

'Comes down to people's lives'

Bryce Coadyis a first mate that fishes out of Covehead. He said he's also grateful to finally be out on the water.

"It comes down to people's lives, so it sucks you got to wait a few extra days but I mean it was well worth it when you get weather like this," he said.

Fishermen at Covehead are especially grateful for smooth sailing. Last year, crews got stuck on sandbars fishing out of CoveheadHarbour and Hardy's Channel.

"There's enough water for us this year, which is nice because we hada lot of issues last year with it and it cost a lot of people somemoney, banging up their boats," Coady said.

As for today, he said the crews "couldn't ask for anything better."

Keeping traditions alive

His sister Alyssa Coadyworks on the same boat. She said she's looking forward to keeping her family's tradition of fishing out of Covehead Harbour alive.

"My grandfather started and he came down here when he was 14 years old. So it just continued from there, generation from generation and here I am and hopefully my son will do it someday," Alyssa said.

"It means a lot to me and family in the past and hopefully in the future."

The Coady familysaidthey're hoping the upcoming season brings big catches. They planto have their first feed of lobster Saturday morning.

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