MONCTON – The federal fisheries minister says expanding markets to Asia and Europe is crucial to improving lobster prices for Maritime fishermen.
“As we all know, the supply has risen over the last number of years so we need to create more demand,” said Gail Shea. “There’s significant opportunity with the European Union Trade Agreement and with the new trade agreement with Korea.”
Shea made the comments at the 37th Annual Convention of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union in Moncton Sunday afternoon.
She attended the Convention to talk about her government’s Economic Action Plan for 2014 and how it relates to the Atlantic fishing industry.
Record catches have been driving lobster prices down and fishermen say prices are so low they can’t make a living.
Their frustration has led to protests and blockades around New Brunswick.
The union’s executive secretary, Christian Brun, is hoping this year will be better.
“I think if markets improve and prices improve I think you’ll have a lot less pressure of going outside the realms of what you need to do to go fishing,” he said.
He says a levy could also help members expand to new markets around the world.
“It’s basically some way to assure that everybody contributes in a pot so we have some money to go out there and tell their stories about lobster around the world,” he said. “Especially in emerging markets where it’s going to become extremely important in the next five to seven years.”
However, Brun says old problems continue to hold back the industry and thinks regulations need to be put in place to increase the minimum size of lobsters harvested.
“If we change that,” he said. “We’ll be edging towards a better value towards market.”
Shea says that discussion is ongoing.
The convention ends Monday.
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