On a chilly spring morning, Prince Edward Island’s lobster fishers embarked on one of the most significant days of the year. Setting day for Lobster Fishing Area 26A on the southeastern shore of P.E.I. marked the official start of the spring season, with crews venturing out at dawn to place their traps. Meanwhile, the season in LFA 24, situated along the North Shore of the province, was scheduled to commence the following day.
As early as 6 a.m., boats started departing from harbors, including Souris Harbour in eastern P.E.I., where 17-year-old Thomas MacPhee, a student at Souris Regional School, was actively assisting his family in loading lobster traps onto their vessel. This routine was deeply ingrained in him as a generational tradition.
Accompanied by his grandfather, uncle, and a friend, Thomas and his crew had already completed one trip earlier in the day, setting an initial batch of traps before returning to shore for reloading. For families like the MacPhees, setting day has been a revered tradition passed down for over 150 years, despite the industry’s challenges such as escalating costs, safety concerns, and market uncertainties.
John MacPhee, Thomas’s grandfather, a seasoned fisherman of over 43 years, emphasized the importance of safety precautions amidst the demanding nature of the job. The risks associated with handling heavy traps and ropes on boats were acknowledged, prompting a vigilant approach from the crew to ensure everyone’s well-being.
While financial pressures loom over the industry due to rising expenses for bait, fuel, and maintenance, John remained cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season, albeit acknowledging the ongoing battle with fluctuating lobster prices.
The commencement of the lobster season was not just a professional affair but a community event, drawing family members, friends, and neighbors to the dock at Souris Harbour to witness the fleet’s departure into the sea. Among the onlookers was Lily MacPhee, a UPEI student, who has been actively involved in fishing during the spring season for the past four years, carrying forward the family’s deep-rooted tradition.
Despite her aspirations for a different career path post-graduation, Lily expressed a profound attachment to the fishery, considering it an integral part of her family’s culture and heritage. Her mother, Tara McNally MacPhee, shared similar sentiments, acknowledging the blend of pride and anxiety that setting day evoked as loved ones embarked on their maritime journey, underscoring the collective concern within the fishing community until everyone safely returned home.