life in a fishing village

Life in a fishing village

We arrived in Pointe Sapin, New Brunswick on August 29, 2012 tired,wet and covered in salt after a long sail from Chandler, Quebec.  It was a welcoming port after a night on the water.  We didn't really know what to expect other than rest.

What we found was a warm welcoming community.  It is in the middle of lobster season (mid Aug to mid Oct) in this zone which covers from the north end of the Northumberland Strait to the Confederation bridge.  Navigation this time of year takes extra care as the waters are covered with lobster pots.  Pulling into the harbour we were met by a few fishermen and the harbour master.  They helped us tie up to the cement wall, with 4x4's of lumber running vertical every 8 inches.  It was 1:15 pm and the 78 lobster boats, about 40 ft long were beginning to return with their catch.  Most of the rest of the day was spent catching up on rest, although Yvonne did go for a short walk. I think she just needed to get ashore !

Over the next four days we learned a lot about lobster fishing:
- each boat has a crew of 2 or 3 and catches an average of 5,000 lbs of lobster in a 6 day week
-work is hard in all kinds of weather with the morning starting at 5:00am (leaving the dock)
- the catch has to be to the buyers by 4 pm
- they are amazing at manouvering their boats
- crew wear rain pants, knee high rubber boots and no life jacket
- family is important, as well as the registration number on the side of the boat, each one has the name of their kids on it
- most boats come back to the harbour to unload twice a day to ensure the lobster are alive, when sold to buyer
- the fuel for the day is about $400/ per boat

We were able to buy lobster right off the boat as it was being loaded on the dock a $3/lb - cheaper than hamburger.  The first batch was cooked for us by one of the buyers.  After getting instructions we cooked the rest of it on the boat.  The people in Pointe Sapin would do anything for you, if you asked.

We would like to offer special thanks to:
DONALD, the harbour master who got us to the dock, visited with us and provided us with a pot large enough to cook lobster in ….. and it came to us filled with vegetables fresh from his garden
CHANTEL, the night security lady,  who checked the  fishing boats, and our MODAKI every hour during the night … she spent time talking about the village and let us use the WIFI at her house
BRIAN, Chantel's partner, who would of taken us out on the lobster boat, if the weather had been better on Sat.
AL, one of the fishermen who came around in the evening to visit and see our boat.  He opened up and shared a life style with us.
- to all of the fisherman who where warm and took time out of their day to talk with us
- to the sea bass fishermen on the wharf, who shared their catch and filleted it for us … Best fish we ever ate.

This is the community that opened up to us and you will be in our hearts forever !!!!!!