January 7, 2014 — The gap in lobster landings between Canada and the United States has been closing steadily over the last five years, an economic summary prepared by Fisheries and Oceans Canada shows.
The North American neighbours are the only two countries in the world that harvest American lobster. The combined landings have been increasing steadily over the past several years. Back in 2003, Canada landed 49,837 metric tonnes of lobsters and the US had 32,515 for a combined catch of 82,352. However, by 2012, (last year’s figures were not available when the summary was prepared) Canada landed 71,528 metric tonnes with the US close behind at 67,829 for a record high total of 139,357.
The 10-year average in terms of the national breakdown has seen 56% of the landings come from Canada and 44% from the United States. However, the US has been gaining rapidly and by 2012, the gap had closed to 51 percent for this country and 49 per cent for our neighbours.
The document indicates the 130 ports in the Gulf Region accounted for 23,315 tonnes, or 34% of the Canadian volume, in 2012.
Read the full story at the Yourmouth County Vanguard