P.E.I. lobster fishing season delayed for another week

Some fishermen at Red Head Harbour used chainsaws Thursday to try to cut the ice in the harbour into chunks to speed the breakup

They were supposed to be heading out to set their traps, but the lobster fishing season in P.E.I. has been delayed until May 7 because many harbours are still iced in.

The decision was made during a conference call Thursday afternoon between the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Another conference call will be held Monday to further discuss the opening date.

There is a lot of anxiety and disappointment among fishermen, says P.E.I. Fishermen's Association president Craig Avery.

"There's a lot of harbours that even if the season wasn't open, it just wouldn't be possible for them to go fishing," said Avery. 

"People are just dealing with it the best they can and hoping that the seventh is the day. All we can do is hope for the best." 

Avery said the weather forecast shows several days of warm, sunny weather in the forecast. Fishermen are hoping that will melt that ice.

Two other P.E.I. fisheries are also delayed due to ice conditions. 

Oyster and scallop fishermen are waiting to hear from DFO on when those seasons will open. 

The scallop fishery is expected to start on May 11. That season was delayed a week after scallop fishermen and DFO agreed to postpone the start of the fishery. 

The coast guard says seven P.E.I. harbours have asked for assistance from a hovercraft that breaks up ice. That vessel is currently working in northern New Brunswick and the coast guard officials does not expect it to arrive in P.E.I. for another week.

The oyster fishery is expected to receive information Friday from DFO on when that fishery will open.