Why is the research important?

The average landed value of Atlantic Canada’s lobster catch now amounts to an estimated 1 billion dollars.  This figure increases substantially when returns to post-harvest sectors (meat processing plants, live shippers/dealers, food service industries, and other stakeholders) are considered.  Decreased productivity, as represented by the quantity of premium saleable goods, of this industry would have profound impacts on supporting industries (boat building and maintenance, fuel, bait suppliers, gear and other equipment suppliers, financial institutions, etc.) and tourism - vital components of the economy of Atlantic Canada.  Currently, post-harvest losses are estimated at 10-15% of the landed product - equivalent to tens of millions of dollars of lost revenues annually.  These are in addition to those losses by the harvesting sector which are not recorded.

The Southwest Nova Scotia (SW NS) lobster fishery is responsible for approximately 40% of the Atlantic Canada’s total lobster landings.  For three of the past four years this fishery has experienced severe economic hardships (increased mortalities, loss of international markets and decreased saleable value for live product) due to the occurrence of lobsters with soft shells and low meat yield.  This is likely a reflection of a shift in the lobsters’ moult cycle which has not been offset by adjusting fishery and management practices.

Back to Projects/Research