CAPE JOHN - Fishermen along Nova Scotia's North Shore landed the last of their gear on June 30, marking the end of another lobster fishing season.
While catches in the western area of the strait from Malagash to Pugwash saw no improvement and in some cases continue to decline, fishermen from Barrachois to Havre Boucher realized improvement from 10 to 20 per cent or better.
"Most places have seen an improvement over the last year but the exception would be the western part of (lobster fishing area) 26A," said Ronnie Heighton, president of the Northumberland Fishermen's Association.
Heighton, said prices remained steady throughout the season at $4.50 for the smaller-size canner lobsters and $4.75 for market-size lobsters.
"This time of year there is a bit of competition but it didn't happen this year," Heighton said about four days before the season was set to close.
Along with slight improvements to catches in some areas, fishermen also saw positive signs for the future.
Barrachois fisherman Stanley Reid's catches picked up in the last couple weeks, improving his overall landings for the season.
"It's better than last year," said Reid.
He estimates his catches have been between 150 to 200 pounds, far from where he would like them to be compared to past years, but showing improvement.
In the mid-1980s to early 1990s, fishermen in Barrachois were landing about 600 pounds per day.
"They are on their way," said Reid, summing up the season. "It's going in the right direction."
