Investigative reporter explores high cost of lobster in new book

Investigative reporter Greg Mercer talks about his new book “The Lobster Trap.”

As a daily reporter, Greg Mercer became familiar with the myriad issues affecting the lobster industry in Atlantic Canada, but he felt he couldn’t capture the full scope of the story in 1,200-word articles, so he decided to write a book.

“It needed more space,” Mercer told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis on Wednesday. “I feel I can tell the story the way it needed to be told. I couldn’t do it if it wasn’t in a book.”

“The Lobster Trap” explores how the industry has evolved and expanded over the centuries while also charting its numerous challenges, such as climate change, rapidly shifting markets and debates over who has the right to fish for lobster.

“I learned that in no point in our history have there been more challenges facing this sector,” Mercer said. “It’s an incredibly important sector worth billions of dollars. It’s never had more uncertainty over its future.

“Commercial fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in Canada.”

Mercer said China’s recent 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian seafood products are a major headache for the industry.

“Just when they’ve got some calm waters, another curveball is thrown at them,” he said. “It’s constantly being challenged from all corners.”

Mercer said North American lobster is highly prized around the world for its claws.

“We’ve turned a regional food into a global luxury food,” he said.

Through his research, Mercer found that lobster fishing in southern New England has collapsed and warns that it could happen in Atlantic Canada.

“We shouldn’t pretend we’re invincible,” he said. “It’s a dangerous job, it’s a difficult job and we need to appreciate the folks who bring lobster to us.”

Mercer will discuss his book at St. Thomas University in Fredericton at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

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