It’s been a slow start for some lobster fishers in southwest Nova Scotia this year.
The head of the Coldwater Lobster Association says catches are down and the shore price is around $11.50 a pound.
Heather Mulock says crews are seeing a lot of crabs.
“What’s unique this year are all the female Jonah crabs, which crews are not permitted to keep. There’s also been an influx of hermit crabs,” said Mulock.
She says lobsters are moulting later than normal this year, according to a recent survey.
“When that happens, the lobsters tend to go into hiding under rocks and crevasses to let their new shell harden and avoid predation.”
Mulock adds she’s hoping things pick up, and notes that lobster is on the menu for a lot of families this holiday season.
She says some captains are doing better than last year, and some are struggling.
The season opened in LFA 33 and 34 in late November.
