Wind forecast delays P.E.I. lobster season

With winds forecast to gust between 40 and 60 km/h on Wednesday, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is delaying the start of P.E.I.'s spring lobster season by 24 hours.

'As long as nobody goes fishing, nobody is going to lose anything.' — Lobster fisherman Craig Avery

With the season opening on May 1, fishermen would be out to set their traps on Wednesday. DFO spokesman Luc Legere said the delay is required for safety reasons.

"On opening day, we always want to be extra careful because it is not like your typical fishing day because on opening day they are actually going out with all their gear on the boat," said Legere.

"We want to make sure that the water and the conditions are as favourable as possible to make sure that it is a safe start to the fishery."

Craig Avery, a lobster fisherman from the Alberton area, supports the delay.

"I guess I can live with it. My big thing is as long as nobody goes fishing, nobody is going to lose anything," said Avery.

"There is only so many lobsters there and as a rule we normally catch a good portion of what's there every year. So if nobody is setting traps, nobody is competing against each other. I think it's a good decision and like I say, safety is our main concern."

The decision affects more than 1,000 Island lobster fishermen. The wind is forecast to ease over the course of the day Wednesday.