Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Call for Captains:

PEI LFA 24 Lobster Harvesters – PEIFA 2025 Lobster Tagging Study

PEI Harvesters in lobster fishing area (LFA) 24 have long questioned the movement of lobsters in their area. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has completed research on movement, but the data has not been updated for approximately 20 years. Recently, PEI harvesters in LFA 24 have increased interest in updating these tagging studies. This project, developed by the North Shore Fishermen’s Association (NSFA) in collaboration with the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA), was passed as a resolution at the 2024 PEIFA AGM for all of LFA 24, highlighting the importance of this research to island fishers.

The PEIFA is seeking 5 Captains and vessels, with crew to participate in the LFA 24 Lobster Tagging Study. The hired Captains will set a maximum of 100 traps starting in late September/early October 2025 (post-moult), from each of their representative harbours (Tignish, Malpeque, Covehead, Morell, North Lake). The vessel used for registration must be the one used for the project. Lobsters will be streamer tagged and returned to the water in the area they were caught.

The following are a list of details/requirements for the participants in the Lobster Movement Study:

· Payment: $250/hour

· A max of 4 scientists/technicians will be onboard for data collection and tagging.

· Captain is responsible for 1 crew member, gear and bait

· Captain must be reliable & experience in handling lobster traps

· Vessel is required to meet all standard Transport Canada requirements

· The Captain requires third-part liability insurance on their vessel (in the amoung of $2,000,000.00 per occurance)

· The Captain will be required to sign a contract with the PEIFA (agreen on protocol, rate of pay and insurance)

· Captain must be willing to work closely with project staff

· A draw of qualified applicants will be made if more than 1 Captian applies per harbour.

A registration and draw will be administered by the PEIFA to determine the Captains for the project. Only PEIFA members who fish in LFA 24 are eligible for the draw.

Registration Dates: 9:00AM September 9^th, 2025, until 4:30PM September 17^th, 2025

Fee: No fee for registration

How to Register: Fishers can register online at www.peifa.org by clicking the ‘News & Events’ or ‘Registration & Renewals’ tab and then the ‘LFA 24 Lobster Tagging Study Registration 2025’ link or contact the PEIFA office to register by phone or in person.

Required Information: Fisher’s name, phone #, FIN #, homeport, vessel name, VRN#, and project port (Tignish, Malpeque, Covehead, Morell, North Lake).

The Draw will be held the morning after the completion of the Registration, September 18^th , 2025.

Interested individuals looking for additional details about the captain's responsibilities, project protocol and requirements can contact Melanie Giffin: Melanie Giffin: 902-330-4466/ melanie@peifa.org; or, Laura Ramsay: 902-393-2281/laura@peifa.org