P.E.I. lobster fishermen optimistic as season gets underway

Lobster fishermen are on the water today, many pulling in their first catches of the season.

"It was beautiful coming out here this morning, about 20 minutes after 5 a.m., the sun was coming up and it was a beautiful day," Craig Avery, the head of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association, told Island Morning from the helm of his boat.

• Photos from opening day of P.E.I. lobster season

Setting day was on Saturday, and a number of fishermen take Sunday off.

Avery said it was a great to start the season on time after last year's opening day was delayed by bad weather.

With traps in the water, Avery said talk has turned to catches and price.

"We're hoping to have a good bit higher price than last year for sure," he said. "There's a big demand for lobster and a good market everywhere. The Canadian dollar is in our favour right now, so we're hoping to get a good bit more than last year."

Last week, fishermen in southwest Nova Scotia were paid over $8 per pound for market lobster.

Around 1,000 lobster fishermen are registered for the spring season in P.E.I.

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