Lobster Enhancement Project to Enter Third Phase

With the goal of enhancing lobster populations over the long term, the  Provincial Government is providing $98,400 for the third phase of a project to  study lobster enhancement in Placentia Bay

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The total value of the project will  be approximately $157,000. It will be carried out in partnership with the  Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), the Fish, Food and Allied  Workers (FFAW), and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University. It involves hatching and cultivating juvenile lobster for release in Placentia Bay.

"This project has the potential to benefit the Newfoundland and Labrador lobster fishery in many ways," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "It will provide opportunities to develop expertise and build knowledge on lobster enhancement through technology transfer and fisheries research and development. Ultimately, this may lead to improved lobster stocks, which can help to increase the landed value of lobster, provide increased incomes to harvesters and create a more stable fishery overall."

This final phase of the project will focus on the refining of skills involved with raising and disbursing lobster larvae, identification of best practices for the Newfoundland and Labrador environment, and identification of a site for a commercial hatchery in the Placentia Bay area. Previous phases of this project were funded by the Provincial Government, National Research Council, FFAW and Marine Institute.

"The centre looks forward to helping with the building of local expertise in the enhancement of lobster stocks in the province," said Robert Verge, Managing Director of CCFI. "Lobster is a valued species in markets throughout the world. Ensuring that the provincial fishing industry can continue to take advantage of the economic returns from those markets is a highly anticipated goal of CCFI’s participation in this research and development project."

An increase in the size of lobster stocks would be beneficial to the province’s fishing industry. Having access to a variety of different fish species throughout the year provides for a sustainable and strong industry. Direct and indirect economic benefits of this project will also have a positive impact on the Placentia Bay region.

"Harvesters across the province have been at the forefront of lobster conservation for years, but there are still times when you need intervention to have a sustainable resource," said FFAW Secretary-treasurer David Decker. "Placentia Bay lobster landings are currently a fraction of historic levels, so we felt it crucial to pursue this kind of enhancement effort to help rebuild that resource to its full potential. For an area like Placentia Bay, a healthy lobster stock could add millions of dollars to the local economy annually. Also, the knowledge gained here can be applied to other areas where intervention is needed."

"Research into the future hatchery is on-going and will be based on design and site selection efforts of our Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development," said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director, Marine Institute. "A lot of potential still exists with this project and the Marine Institute looks forward to working closely with our industry and government partners in pursuit of valuable and meaningful research into the lobster fishery. The long-term goal is to increase the lobster population and therefore ensure the sustainability of the lobster fishery in Placentia Bay."

The lobster fishery represents a $30 million of the landed value of the fishing industry in the provincial economy. "There is considerable potential for this project," said Minister Jackman. "The objectives are realistic and with the support of our partners I am sure we will learn a lot of important information for the development of the lobster fishery in the area. I look forward to seeing the results of the project."