NEW GLASGOW – In the 26 years that Lismore Lobster has been in business, the staff have never seen the lobster fisherman agree on an issue with such solidarity.
“I think their protest is justified,” said former fisherman Darren Armsworthy, who was helping out his parents sell cooked lobster for Mother’s Day. “The price of lobster has basically been the same for many years, but the cost of fuel, bait and supplies with a strong Canadian dollar have erased the profit margin.”
Like many of the fisherman protesting, Armsworthy believes that $5 a pound for lobster is a fair price. While some larger stores have been selling lobster for $10-11 a pound, Lismore sells for $7.50 for cooked lobster.
Fishermen in the Gulf Region voted to stay tied to their wharfs on Friday in hopes of getting a higher price for their catch. This means supplies of local Northumberland lobster were limited for Mother’s Day weekend. “We’re basically selling what fisherman put into lobster pounds before the protest,” said Armsworthy. “Once it’s gone, that’s it until they go out again.”
Crabby J’s Marina and Fresh Fish Market was a flurry of activity on Saturday with a steady stream of calls and inquiries for lobster. “Supplies are low,” said owner Jamie Davidson. “I’ve been turning people away.” He said last year at this time, he sold 700 pounds of lobster but this year, he only had 300 pounds to sell. “As quick as I get the lobster cooked, they’re gone.”
By Saturday afternoon, he couldn’t take any more orders and sold out. But the customers who did come in expressed solidarity with the fisherman, saying they should get a fairer price. Davidson hopes that the fishermen are back in the water sometime this week. “Some people will go to the bigger stores to buy lobster not necessarily, but for most, they like and will buy the local lobster. It’s only a 2 month season.”
Davidson could buy lobster from other areas but won’t do so, even while the protest is on. “I could call one of the other buyers but I won’t do that while this season is on. I just hope the fishermen didn’t do this for nothing.”
