Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Southwest Coast Lobster Fishery

Fish harvesters on the southwest coast of Newfoundland depend heavily on lobster to earn a living. In recent years, decreasing prices and other challenges have threatened the viability of the industry and the future employment of many harvesters’ families and others dependent on the small boat fishery. In the past few years southwest coast fishermen have had high average lobster catch rates per harvester and the number of active licenses in the region has been stable. Most of the lobster is sold to two local buyers and then exported, primarily to the United States. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is the main regulator for harvesting, while the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture regulates the industry post-harvest. Currently the environmental sustainability of the fishery is in question because although there are a number of conservation methods in place, exploitation rates are very high. Low prices contribute to the pressure on harvesters to fish intensively.