On a chilly spring morning, Prince Edward Island’s lobster fishers embarked on a significant day as they kicked off the spring season by setting traps in Lobster Fishing Area 26A along the southeastern shore. Meanwhile, Lobster Fishing Area 24 along the North Shore is scheduled to open the following day.
Departing as early as 6 a.m., boats from various harbors, including Souris Harbour, were bustling with activity. In Souris Harbour, 17-year-old Thomas MacPhee, a student at Souris Regional School, joined his family in loading lobster traps onto their boat, a routine he has been familiar with since childhood.
Thomas, working alongside his grandfather, uncle, and a friend, had already completed one trip to set traps before reloading back at shore. For families like the MacPhees, setting day holds a tradition spanning over 150 years, passed down through generations.
Despite industry challenges such as escalating costs, safety concerns, and market uncertainties, young fishers like Thomas are embracing the profession, preserving a way of life integral to many coastal communities in Prince Edward Island. Thomas’s grandfather, John MacPhee, a seasoned fisher of over 43 years, acknowledged the risks associated with the job, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols during the trap deployment process.
With financial pressures mounting due to rising expenses for bait, fuel, and maintenance, industry profitability is being impacted, especially for vessels traveling further offshore. External economic conditions can also influence the demand dynamics, with John expressing cautious optimism about the upcoming season while acknowledging the ongoing battle with fluctuating lobster prices.
Beyond the operational challenges, setting day is a communal affair, drawing family members, friends, and neighbors to Souris Harbour’s docks to witness the fleet’s departure. Among the spectators was Lily MacPhee, a UPEI student and a seasoned fisher herself, reflecting on the deep-rooted family and community traditions surrounding fishing in Souris.
Lily, who learned fishing from her father, intends to continue engaging with the fishery despite pursuing a different career path post-graduation. Her mother, Tara McNally MacPhee, echoed a mix of pride and anxiety on setting day, emphasizing the collective concern within the close-knit fishing community until all return safely back to shore.