Lobster season opens in southeastern P.E.I. on cold but 'beautiful' day

The spring lobster fishery opened in the southeastern part of Prince Edward Island a day late on Saturday, while the northern section that was scheduled to open on Monday will be delayed at least a day.

Jeff Bell and other fishers in the 26A lobster fishing area of Murray Harbour loaded their boats and headed into the Northumberland Strait before 6 a.m. to set their traps.

Bell, in his 43rd year as the captain of his own boat, said it was cold there was frost on his boat but still "beautiful out there."

"Couldn't ask for a better day," Bell said.

A 'perfect' setting day for South Shore lobster fishers on P.E.I.

1 month ago

Duration 2:25

Lobster fishers on the southeastern coast of P.E.I. set their first traps of the season Saturday. CBC P.E.I. was in Murray Harbour bright and early as the spring season got underway.

The fishery was scheduled to open on Friday but was pushed back a day due to high winds in the strait. The fishers will take a day to rest on Sunday before heading out to pull their traps on Monday, weather permitting.

The call has already been made to delay the opening in lobster fishing area 24 on the Island's north shore because of the forecast, according to a Facebook post by the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association. A meeting is scheduled for Monday at 3:30 p.m. to provide an update.

Airika Pollard, a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, was at the Murray Harbour wharf helping her brother andfather bait traps.

"For us it's a family business," Pollard said. "You always want to help out and also the community around the wharf is really nice to be around."