Certifier : 
Global Trust Certification Ltd.
Certified status : 
Combined with another assessment
Certified since : 
06 Nov 2014
Certificate expires : 
25 Feb 2021

Overview

Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.

Attention

Some or all units that participated in this fishery are now covered by another assessment. Please see the Maritime Canada inshore lobster trap fishery for more information.

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

View glossary of terms

Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
American lobster (Homarus americanus) 2018 16,993

Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.

Eligibility, client groups and vessel lists

A fishery may choose to define the members of the fishery certificate. These members can be vessels or other client group members (e.g. companies that own vessels and/or companies that are named as eligible to handle certified product covered within the fishery certificate scope). Please refer to the fishery certificate statement on additional product specific eligibility criteria (e.g. product eligibility limitations, eligibility date, exclusive points of landing and the point where Chain of Custody certificate is required). Please consult the fishery Public Certification Report for product eligibility rationale.

Documents Published on Files
List of client group members 02 Nov 2020 1 files

About this Fishery

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) lobster fishery is based in eastern Canada, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It provides more than 5,000 jobs and contributes substantially to the local economy.

The fishery uses baited traps and ensures sustainable fishing by applying restricted season openings and minimum lobster sizes. The traps have an escape mechanism and biodegradable twine to allow lobster to escape if traps are lost.

Two sizes of mature lobster are landed in PEI: the smaller 'canner' lobster and the 'market' sized lobster. PEI lands a large portion of the distinctive 'canner' lobster available in world markets. It accounts for more than 65% of the fishery’s total landings over the past ten years.

The largest populations of lobster are found in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence around the island, in southwest Nova Scotia and in the Gulf of Maine.

 "Sustainability of the resource is primary in our Aboriginal culture and this [MSC certification] is a positive step for the PEI lobster industry. As both harvesters and processors of lobster, our community members look forward to enjoying the economic benefits of a stable, sustainable wild fishery in the global market place."
- Jeff Malloy, president of the PEI Seafood Processors Association