Lobster has been the mainstay of the
Prince Edward Island fishery for over a century. It survived its early
"boom" days to become one of the most sustainable fisheries on Canada's
East Coast.
rior to the 1870s, Prince
Edward Islanders were content to remain on shore while others pursued
the rich fishery off their coast. Then came the lobster boom, and
Islanders developed a fishery of their own.
y the mid-1880s -
only ten years after the boom began - overfishing drove lobster
stocks to dangerously low levels. The industry faced imminent collapse,
and was saved only by a combination of regulation, cooperation and good
luck. The history of this fishery offers lessons - and
warnings - for the future.
rior to the 1870s, Prince
Edward Islanders were content to remain on shore while others pursued
the rich fishery off their coast. Then came the lobster boom, and
Islanders developed a fishery of their own.
y the mid-1880s -
only ten years after the boom began - overfishing drove lobster
stocks to dangerously low levels. The industry faced imminent collapse,
and was saved only by a combination of regulation, cooperation and good
luck. The history of this fishery offers lessons - and
warnings - for the future.
