Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

RESULTS

2021 PEIFA LOBSTER FISHING AREA 25 QUESTIONNAIRE

The PEI Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) and the Prince County Fishermen’s Association (PCFA) were seeking input on the opening date of the 2021 fall lobster season in LFA 25 through the mailout questionnaire this past month. The following were the results of this mailout:

· Ballots counted on June 23^rd, 2021 by 4 scrutineers at the Farm Centre, Charlottetown.

· 116 returned questionnaires out of a total of 213 PEI LFA 25 commercial lobster licensed fishers. This equates to a 54.5% return rate.

RESULTS:

WHICH OPENING DATE FOR THE 2021 FALL SEASON WOULD YOU PREFER:

· 41 votes (35.3%) - Monday, August 9^th (closing on Sunday, Oct. 10^th)

· 71 votes (61.2%) Tuesday, August 10^th (closing on Monday, Oct. 11^th)

· 4 Spoiled ballots (3.5%)

PCFA/PEIFA will be informing neighbouring associations and LFA 25 stakeholders of the results of the mailout and formally submitting the request for an August 10^th opening to the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) for consideration.

THE REQUESTED OPENING DATE CHANGE WILL BE SUBJECT TO DFO APPROVAL. FINAL DECISION IS MADE BY DFO.

The membership will be informed as soon as a decision by the DFO has been made.