We had 3 wonderful presentations in the morning:

Geoff Irvine, executive director of the Lobster Council of Canada presented results of the marketing study underway by Gardner Pinfold. Some of the results are available in the Lobster Council June newsletter (under the Marketing page). Part of his presentation was based on the soon-to-be released marketing report which, as soon as it is available, will be posted on our website.

The Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen's Association sent us 4 representatives:
Eugene O'Leary, President
Melinda Cole, Marine Researcher
Sarah Delorey, Marine Lab Technician
Duncan Bellefontaine, Fisherman and larval tow expert.
This organization has taken over lobster biology for 10 years now. They are quite active participants in the management of the fishery and have even been successful in reversing DFO management decisions. Their presentation is available to either VIEW or DOWNLOAD.

Patty King, General Manager of the Fishermen and Scientists Research Society, presented an overview and history of the work of the FSRS and also some background and information on the research that is being considered by the LFA 27 Management Board. Her presentation is also avaible for VIEW or DOWNLOAD

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After lunch, Patty King and Veronika Brzeski facilitated a discussion on the proposed research topics. The notes of the discussion:

LFA 27 Meeting Notes

September 8, 2010

 Buy-back

• Buy-back – are we considering?  Not at this point.  Model for buy-back in other provinces is that the provincial govts (NB, PEI) have gotten them long term no interest loans.  Renting traps to fishermen to pay off loans.  Gotten nothing from NS govt (asked loan board).
• In meetings in LFA 27 wasn’t enough consensus on buy-backs.  Some interest but some said can’t afford it. 
• Need to put some of own money into buy-back.  ALSM only funds up to 30%.
• If can get funding, which areas get a buy-back, which areas retire licenses?
• What is a fair value for a retired license?
• Suggestion to strike a small committee to look at what would be involved in buy-back.

  Science

• Out-of-season sampling – do pre and post season sampling. – what sampling do you want to do – sex, berried, length, blood protein, tagging?  Have workshop in areas where done, publicize projects and explain to fishermen what data they will get back and how immediate (eg.  Tagging map).
• By-catch one of gaps in information.
• By-catch/incidental catch info needed for certification.
• What are you catching and what are your strategies for dealing with it?
• Links with UCCB – VB talked to Bruce Hatcher, he is interested in modelling in Sydney Harbour.  Could collaborate with him to set up unit model, perhaps using larval drift.
• What questions are we trying to answer?
• If we have doubled egg production why aren’t we seeing it in our traps?
• Are those eggs we are putting in the water going somewhere else? – Larval drift (in-kind contribution from DFO)/Larval Tows
• Could at-sea sampling answer some of the questions for MSC?
• Growth rates – do they vary across the LFA?
• What science is being done on rock crab?  What is the interaction between rock crab and lobster?  What effect is the rock crab having on the lobster fishery?
• How many lobsters does it take to make 100 lbs?  Rob C – seems to be getting more lobsters to make up same 100 lbs.

 Governance

• How to keep this going? Not only science; other issues include marketing, etc..
• Need to do proposals.
• Need to find other funding.
• Veronika funded under ECBC grant to cover her writing proposals.
• Are we going to do projects as an entire LFA or sub-groups?
• Are people willing to pay towards it?  Can they afford to pay towards yet another organization (some belong to and pay into other organizations already for other species).
• ALSM good for another 3 yrs.
• Should we continue:
• Website?
• Meetings?
• Developing projects?

Marketing

• Celtic Colours an example of a strong marketing campaign.  What can we do for lobsters?
• Lobster Palooza – how successful is it?
• Could we have a lobsterfest during the season?
• Signage
• Infrastructure
• Destination Cape Breton supportive and willing to put up some money.
• Have a brochure to tell tourists where can get live or cooked lobster.
• Have business students do marketing plans.

Miscellaneous

• A seal co-op in Nfld feels they can apply for ALSM funding and have asked for LFA 27 support; Robert Courtney asked for status of that request.  Board was waiting for additional info.