Lobster fears loom
Uncertainty faces industry as season to open in Cape Breton
NORTH SYDNEY — As COVID-19 continues to affect the global lobster market, Cape Breton fishermen and buyers say the virus is causing added stress.
The lobster fishing season will begin in area 26B and 27 on Friday, but the uncertainty of the world market has left many wondering what the season will hold for them.
“The world market has collapsed, things are opening a little bit, so we’re seeing a little bit of hope,” said Marlene Brogan of Ballast Ground Fisheries in North Sydney.
“Should the second wave of this virus hit, we don’t know where it’s going to leave us, so it’s concerning.”
For the past six weeks, Brogan has had numerous conference calls with processors, fish organizations, fish harvesters and buyers from the local area, all hoping to receive further guidance from the federal government.
“The federal fisheries minister (Bernadette Jordan) has not offered anything to the fishers,” said Brogan.
“We have been putting everything out there that we know that we foresee as problems and issues – the fish organizations have done up letters and sent them to the minster, telling the government we need them to look at the industry and give us some hope.”
Ballast Ground Fisheries has 18 boats at the North Sydney wharf. The business hopes it doesn't have to put a quota on fishermen this season.
“If we all go fishing (and) the market collapses in two weeks and it can't handle anymore, and different countries have a rise in the virus forcing things to shut down, where does that leave fishermen, their deckhands and my employees?” said Brogan.
“We're like a broker for the fishermen. If we're not here to advocate for them and try to find markets, what are they going to do with their lobsters?”
Brogan, whose business will mark its 21st year this season, doesn't think she'll be forced to set a quota on lobster, but couldn't say for sure.
“I have secured some of my buyers, but there's still a lot of uncertainty,” said Brogan. “What if COVID-19 broke out with one of these buyers I'm selling to… there goes that buy, it's concerning.”
Along with selling product in New Brunswick and other parts of Nova Scotia, Brogan also operates as a retail shop at the North Sydney Wharf, however, that too will be challenging this year.
Brogan said because of guidelines set by regional small craft and harbours, aside from provincial standards, authorized personnel are only allowed at the wharf, meaning customers can't physically enter the business.
“It's very challenging for us as a retail outlet,” she said, noting the retail aspect of the business has grown over the years.
“We have to take an order from our customer and bring it up to the gate, so we're going to lose a lot of customers – my customers like to come into the building.”
Despite the challenge, Brogan said phone and online orders will be accepted and the business will offer delivery service, which is something they've never done before, in an attempt to salvage its retail interest.
Brogan believes there should only be one set of rules – the provincial guidelines.
“I can follow the provincial guidelines, I can make sure there's only one customer at a time while practicing social distancing, so it's frustrating for me being here for 21 years and not being able to offer my retail.”
Meanwhile, Glace Bay fisherman Dan Munden has been fishing for more than 40 years, and like Brogan, doesn't know what to expect as the season begins.
“We're getting ready to go, but we don't know anything about a price or if we're going to have a catch limit. It's questions we don't know how to answer,” said Munden.
For the most part, Munden, who works the familyowned Munden's Lobster at Glace Bay wharf, said fishermen usually have a general idea as to what to expect each season, but not this year.
“We always knew buyers were going to take our lobster and knew they were going to pay us somewhat of a price,” said Munden. “It's unpredictable what's happening – I don't think there's anyone who isn't worried about this.”
When asked about the price for the season, Brogan said it's hard to say right now because things change every hour, however, she expects to get a minimum of $5 a pound.
Lobster season in area 26B, which covers the west coast of Cape Breton, was originally scheduled to begin on April 30, however, it was delayed two weeks because of COVID-19. The season there will end on June 30.
As for area 27, the season will officially wrap up on July 15.