Endangered whales causing 'mess' for P.E.I. lobster crews forced to move traps

Lobster boat crews on P.E.I.'s North Shore are hoping two endangered right whales swim out of the area before they cause further disruption to their livelihoods.

Due to federal protocols, fishers had until Tuesday at 5 p.m. AT to move their gear out of waters deeper than 10 fathoms — about 18 metres — to protect the whales sighted late last week.

The measure will last for 15 days, unless the whales are still in the area. Then the fishing area would be closed for at least another 15 days. The spring season usually goes until the end of June.

"That's not going to be good," said Tony Clements, who fishes out of Northport. "Hopefully, the whale[s] will move on by then." 

Clements said he had to relocate 120 of his traps into shallower water. He said it will make the area more crowded, and with more traps placed closer together, the crustaceans will be "cleaned up" more quickly. 

"We're going to lose lobster for sure. I don't know how many, it's hard to say right now, but I know it's going to affect us."

This is the first time the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has had to close off this part of LFA24 — stretching from Tignish to New London — due to a right whale sighting. There had been confusion over whether one or two whales were spotted on May 18, but DFO confirmed Tuesday that two whales were in the area.

While Clements said relocating the traps was a "pain," he and other fishers said they understand there was not much they can do with the conservation rule in place. 

"We're hoping for the best," said David Henderson, who also moved 120 of his traps out of the closed zone.

"It's kind of hard to believe you can get into such a mess over one whale — and as far as we all know, there's never been a whale tangled up in this gear before."

On Tuesday, Eric Gavin was also trying to remain optimistic.

"Maybe the biggest concern was that maybe we'd have to land our gear. That was the biggest fear of everybody. 

"I'm not saying everybody's happy, no. But at least we're still fishing. That's one good thing."

Jerry Gavin, executive director of the P.E.I. Seafood Processors Association, said they are not anticipating a significant drop in business.