Sea snails could add to Cape Breton fishery

A whelk fishery for Cape Breton is being considered by the federalDepartment of Fisheries and Oceans.

Some fishermen will take part in an exploratory fishery for the large sea snails this year.

Chris Jones, manager of invertebrate fisheries for the Maritime region, said that DFO is working with fishermen and researchers to begin a trial.

"We will be doing analysis with Cape Breton University and the industry to determine if in fact the stock can be sustained at a certain level of fishing, and also whether or not the ecosystem that relies on whelk, both for food and also the balance that whelk impact on other animals, can be sustained," he said.

Jones said it's too soon to say how lucrative a whelk fishery could be.

"This is a small fishery that was intended to enhance their income on shoulder seasons of other fisheries," he said.

"Since we don't know the degree that they can be harvested, we don't know the degree that can be contributed to annual incomes of individual fishermen."

If the whelk fishery wereapproved, it would begin in the fall.

Whelk is already fished commercially in Newfoundland and Quebec, as well as in Europe and South America. The snail is popular in Asian markets where it is served as a delicacy.