Fishermen partner with chef for the Love of Lobster

PEI Lobster Festival to take place in Souris June 25

The Prince Edward Island food brand is recognized locally and internationally for its excellence, due in part to the rich abundance of fresh quality seafood accessible in Island waters. The Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association Ltd. (PEIFA) is now partnering with renowned Chef Michael Smith to create the PEI Lobster Festival. Promoting the Island’s world-class lobster as part of a tourism-themed event builds on local strengths and reinforces its reputation as a go-to culinary tourism destination.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism today announced federal and provincial support for the PEI Lobster Festival in Souris, PEI. ACOA will provide a $25,000 non-repayable contribution through its Business Development Program (BDP). The Government of PEI, through the Departments of Economic Development and Tourism, and Agriculture and Fisheries is providing $30,000 to support the festival.

Over 90% of Canadians get their lobster from Atlantic Canada, and in 2016, 30.5 million pounds of the crustacean, worth $193 million, were caught in PEI. The new PEI Lobster Festival, a key addition to the Island’s tourism calendar, will showcase Island lobster in a one-day event on June 25, with the highlight being a gourmet dinner hosted by Chef Michael Smith. The event is expected to attract up to 1,000 attendees, of whom organizers hope about half will come from off-island.

Quotes

“The lobster fishery and tourism are key components of Prince Edward Island’s economy, and I am pleased to announce our Government’s support for this festival, which highlights PEI’s growing culinary reputation, as well as our world-class food products. Our fishermen and farmers work hard to bring food to our tables, and I wish them the best of luck with the new PEI Lobster Festival.”

-    Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan

“The government of Prince Edward Island is proud to promote our world class culinary products. Each year we have travelers coming from around the world to experience the Island’s lobster. Not only will the new PEI Lobster Festival give all lobster lovers another opportunity to indulge and will draw visitors to rural Prince Edward Island, it will also help develop the province’s spring tourism shoulder season. The new PEI Lobster Festival will benefit both the tourism and lobster industries.”

-    The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism

“The PEIFA has been looking to develop a festival of this kind for the past few years. We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Souris Harbour Authority and internationally recognized Chef Michael Smith in creating an authentic Island lobster experience. This federal and provincial funding will allow us to create a memorable culinary experience for all our guests.”

-    Ian MacPherson, Executive Director, Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association Ltd.

Media contact:
Andrew Sprague
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca