Pulling the traps: P.E.I. fishermen bring lobster ashore Monday

Lobster fishermen on Prince Edward Island's north shore are hopeful today's catch will give them an indication of what the two-month spring season may bring. 

Captain Shelley Deagle is one of the fishermen who headed out before sunrise from Naufrage, P.E.I., on the Miss Shawna Lee to start pulling traps with her cork, Dougie MacKinnon.

'A good day for the first haul'

She told Island Morning's Matt Rainnie it was a great day to be out fishing with an overcast sky and no wind. 

"It's a good day for the first haul to try and get back into the groove of it," said Deagle admitting the first few days were always a bit nerve wracking for her.

Deagle said Monday's weather was better than setting traps in the fog on Saturday.

"It's hard to set in the fog, you've really got to depend on your instruments. There's not too many snarls so it doesn't look too bad out here." 

Talk of a good price

The captain said there were lobsters in the traps, adding that's a good sign of the season to come. 

"They're talking a good price again this year," said Deagle referring to a meeting held Friday with the fish buyer.

"It was kind of a pleasant change. Usually they're not to keen to say too much but it seems like it's going to be a good season." 

Still a 'wait and see'

Deagle said the price was still unknown as they headed out Monday morning. "They told us 'wait and see'. We'll know when we get our first cheque." 

When asked what a good price would mean to her, the captain said it's another year to make sure payments are made so she can keep fishing. 

"It's a big investment and it's a lot of pressure but it seems to be starting off positive." 

'A lot of great support and help'

Deagle has been fishing her own rig since 2010 after working on another for 18 years. "As a female you don't grow up knowing much about engines and hydraulics let alone the fishing part of it."

• More women becoming captains in P.E.I. lobster fishery

"I mean there's just so much than fishing but everyday you learn and I have a lot of great support and help here with fishermen at the harbour."

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