Island tradition was the cause of our 4:30 a.m. rise, but the fog was discouraging. While we don't get much fog, having it on this day was disappointing. We decided to go anyway.
As we drove to Malpeque, the fog lifted. By the time we arrived, the fog bank was visible off-shore but the basin was clear.
Pillar buoy visible above the fog
It was setting day, the day when the lobster traps are set in place for another season on the north shore of Prince Edward Island. On this day, over one thousand boats left various ports on the north shore loaded with traps.
This first day is a big occasion for lobster fishers, with family and others watching as the boats head out, loaded with the baited traps. Some watched from the wharf area as the boats pulled away.
Others waited on Cabot Beach as the boats headed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The proceedings are under the watchful eye of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Fishery officers, present in the basin, checked the traps on-board to ensure fishers do not exceed trap limits.
Traps over the limit were left on the wharf. The officers then followed the boats into the Gulf.
Baited traps left on the wharf
Captains maneuvered through the marked channel in the basin. Family members waved and cheered as their fishers motored past.
Even the family dog came along for some fun on the beach.
Each boat, in turn, navigated the channel.
The water was rougher than we expected but the boats, though low in the water,
quickly disappeared into the fog off-shore.
We could hear them in the distance. The first lobster of the season will be available this week.
32 comments:
Good Morning and happy May. These are such awesome photos. My husband and I both love your posts about lobsters. Very fascinating for us. Thanks for sharing and enjoy a great day.
You documented this tradition well. I never knew that the season started on May 1st. Hopefully it will be a good and prosperous season for everyone. I like the seagull watching from his lamp perch, they are always on the lookout. :)
What an interesting post.
What an interesting tradition. I hope for the fishermen it's a successful season. Thanks for introducing me to the PEI May Day activity! :-)
Charming! Good luck to them all!
Good on you for showing up for this. Thanks for taking us along.
What a wonderful tradition to be a part of! Sorry about the fog, but your pictures are still capturing the beauty of the moment... love the one of the seagull and the dog too :)
Neat! Ahh....some sneaking in extra lobster traps! God Bless those fishermen...what a noble job! Andrea
What a wonderful tradition. How nice of you to celebrate with the fishermen and their families.
I wish safe seas and good catches to them all.
Thank you, Mildred. I'm glad to share this way of life with you through the photos.
The seagulls never miss a trick, Bill.
The price forr lobster is good this year. The first lobster came ashore today, Jan.
The first day was a success, Debra.
It was great to watch, Celia.
There were several dogs on the beach. Definitely family affair.
There are many regulations for fishers to follow, Andrea.
There were photographers and reisdents besides family there, EC. People were excited to see the start of setting day.
Thank you, AC.
I can imagine this being a Rite of Passage of sorts, Marie, especially for those who experience it for the first time. Sons (and daughters?) learning from their fathers, I suppose? And how encouraging to know that they're all being supported and cheered on by the rest of you! It takes a village....
There are women at this fishery too, Ginny. Young mothers with babies in arms and toddlers, seniors, all families members turned out. It was great to see.
The fog adds so much atmosphere to the images Marie. I can almost imagine what it felt like there on the beach send off! Beautiful colour too. Our fishery department is also very strict.. on quantity and size of the crayfish/lobsters.
How wonderful to live so close to the ocean and have fresh lobster!!! We lived close to the ocean when when lived in Chile -South America for a few years. They had a great market where we got fresh sea food that had just been brought from the ocean. Your photos are so beautiful!!!
THe size of the lobsters is an issue here as well, PDP. The regulations insure that the industry continues as you know.
Thank you, Angela. The experience of setting day was wonderful. We will repeat the experience for certain if we can.
I know you've lived in many interesting places. How fortunate you are for the global living experience that you've had!
Sorry about the fog but wow, on the blue.
Fog is a way of life for Altlantic Canadians, HW.
Wow that is an amazing tradition to capture, it felt as if we too we were watching from the shore! Sarah x
I do like fog in pictures, though.
I have a post done about the fog we've experienced recently, HW. I will post it next week.
It was a great experience, Sarah.
Well I realized there must be an opening day for the season, but this post captures the strength of this tradition well!
Thanks, FG. It is a great tradition.
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