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Hamilton Spectator

Lack of dredging poses potential safety issues for P.E.I. lobster crews

More than a dozen lobster vessels sailing in and out of North Rustico Harbour were stuck offshore for a period of time as they struggled to land their catches on Tuesday, April 29. Struggling to sail back to shore on a low tide and sand bars, a few of the vessels resorted to docking their boats elsewhere, according to CBC reports . In a statement to The Guardian on April 23, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) said two P.E.I. harbours were undergoing dredging in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24. Dredging is a process required in some harbours because tidal currents and wave action can fill in navigational channels and harbour basins with sediment. 'Dredging at North Rustico, P.E.I., is scheduled to take place this week, weather permitting. Dredging at Malpeque and North Lake harbours in P.E.I. is ongoing,' read the statement. All harbours in LFA 24 were able to have their vessels sail out on this year's setting day, April 25. In a statement to The Guardian on April 29, P.E.I. Fishermen's Association director Ian MacPherson said four harbours were on schedule for or were in the process of dredging on setting day. 'We were looking at some potential opening day delays if safe passage could not be obtained before the season started,' he said. The contractor dredging Hardy's Channel for Milligan's Shore in Prince County expects to begin next week, DFO said. Any type of weather event or mechanical issue would have created a difficult and challenging situation, MacPherson added. 'As an association, we are advocating that more equipment and or an earlier dredging start date must be considered in the future,' he said. MacPherson says that in the past few years, the lack of ice coverage has made areas vulnerable to shifting sand during high wind events, creating new or more severe dredging requirements. Yutaro Sasaki is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government. He can be reached at ysasaki@ and followed on X @PEyutarosasaki .