Spring lobster season on P.E.I. further delayed because of high winds

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has decided to further delay the opening of P.E.I.'s spring lobster season because of high winds.

A conference call Monday morning between DFO and representatives of the lobster fishery on P.E.I. determined conditions weren't good enough to open the season on Tuesday.

Another conference call has been scheduled for Tuesday morning to consult with industry representatives on whether it would be safe toopen lobster season on Wednesday.

Setting day was originally scheduled for Monday, but DFOdelayed the opening due to high winds.

'Nothing you can do about it'

"There's really nothing you can do about it.It's the weather that seems to be getting worse every year," saidDalis Peters who has been fishinglobsterfor 47 years.

There is a hope the season could be extended if a number of days are lost at the beginning, said Ian MacPherson, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association.

"It's primarily safety of course. Setting day the boats are heavier with the traps and sometimes there is some extra crew on also," MacPhersonsaid.

"We are off to an interesting start. As you can understand people get anxious because they are prepared to start today and that means delays and some unscheduled things."

However, the safety of the workers is the primary goal, MacPhersonsaid, but he recognizes the delay could affect processors.

"It does create some disruption, there is no doubt about that.But it's one of these things that hopefully once we are in the water, we'll have good weather for the rest of the season."

MacPhersonsaid Island fishermen are used to dealing with unpredictable weather.Last year the season started on time, but wind was an issue.

"A few years back we were delayed two weeks because of ice conditions."

MacPhersonsaid he is expecting more wind to cause problems over the next few days.

"There are certain parameters the industry works within and with DFO consultation also, so we will see," he said.

"The big thing is to not go out when it is unsafe, but you know the boats are sturdy and there are conditions they can go out in, we just want to hit that right mix."

About 1,100 fishermen take part in the spring fishery. The spring season is in lobster fishing areas 24 and 26A, which runfrom North Cape, along the North Shore and into the Northumberland Strait to Victoria.

"It's just Mother Nature, I would rather be in shore than out there.Setting day is stressful enough,without being rough," Peters said.

"I would rather be safe than out there taking chances."

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