NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — A marine biologist says more research is needed to uncover the effects of stress on local lobster.
Veronika Brzeski spent several weeks last year visiting local docks documenting storage and shellfish quality.
The study is expected to continue when the season opens on the eastern side of Cape Breton in mid-May.
“We’re going to expand this project and see how we can maintain lobsters that are on the boat,” Brzeski said.
“It’s a very short time, but I think it’s definitely worth looking at improving the water quality inside of our tanks, looking at pumps, you know, better equipment.”
Brzeski said local fishermen are keen to improve the quality of their catch.
The industry is now examining the issue in an effort to reduce lactic acid buildup.
Brzeski said research attributes high levels of lactic acid to less taste and blanching of the lobster meat.
“We found that we needed more research to really pinpoint how stress levels were affected in lobster,” she said.
“It’s kind of raised more questions than answers. We did oxygen measures inside the tanks on boats and had a lot of really interesting discussions with the fishermen about how they exchange water on the boat and the challenges.”
In some instances, Brzeski said fishermen uncovered that pumps used to flow water through the tanks contained brass fittings which are poisonous to lobster.
Brzeski said the study was first proposed to them in 2018 by a student pursuing a career in biological engineering.
Lactic acid in lobsters re-emerged during a course on shellfish handling and quality administered last spring by a professor at the Université Sainte-Anne in Petit-de-Grat.
In Cape Breton, lobster fishermen saw a banner year for harvesting in 2018 and all signs point to 2019 being a comparable harvest.
“Definitely the resource is looking really good,” Brzeski said. “I think both lobster and snow crab are very important to this area. The resources are looking very healthy, with lots of new recruits coming in.”
Concerns for the upcoming season
Lobster fishermen in Eastern Canada are expected to face both certain and uncertain challenges this year.
Among their concerns is the global drop in lobster exports related to COVID-19 and federal regulations that require special markings on all fixed gear.
The mandatory twine used on lobster ropes must identify region, fishery and fishing area.
The measures are being implemented in an effort to protect North Atlantic right whales of which there are estimated only 411 estimated to be left in the world.
Brzeski said although fishermen technically have until July 1 to adhere to the new rules but believes they won’t have time once the season opens May 15.
After a long day of work, Brzeski said rest is needed to avoid accidents on the water.
“A lot of the guys have their gear buried in the snow, so they can’t do it now,” she said. “The twine is running out. It took several weeks for the suppliers to get the twine and now they’re cleaned out. It’s quite a struggle. It’s almost impossible for all the fishermen in our area to be ready.”
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it has worked in close collaboration with fish harvesters on the gear requirements, having consulted with them the previous year.
"The date of July 1, 2020, gives harvesters time to order and prepare their rope over the course of the spring and early summer, helping to ensure a smooth transition to meet the requirements," said Fisheries spokesperson Benoit Mayrand.
"We have worked to strike an effective balance between protecting the whales and the socio-economic impacts on industry in coastal communities, including international trade. These changes are expected to impose minimal cost and time requirements to harvesters."
Brzeski said another expected challenge for prices and demand this year will be global fallout related to the coronavirus.
Over the past few decades the fishing industry has faced similar concerns related to viruses such as SARS, but Brzeski said other outbreaks haven’t delivered such a large impact.
“You can look at it optimistically that things will settle down by May, or they may be getting progressively worse, who knows?” she said.
“We’re in unchartered territory. It’s going to be an interesting year.”
