PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - Early numbers from P.E.I.'s spring lobster fishery suggest landings are up over last year, the provincial fisheries department reported Wednesday.

Total landings are up by more than 8.2 million kilograms, or 10.3 per cent over last year.

The biggest increase came from the central and eastern part of the Island, where fishermen have been plagued in recent years with dismal catches. Those fishermen saw a 24.5 percent increase in landings this year, the highest since 2002.

"It's certainly an indication that perhaps the thing is headed in the right direction," said Fisheries Minister Allan Campbell.

"Of course it's one year and we hope that this trend continues, for sure. But to have an increase of over 24 per cent is still in my mind significant."

Campbell said fishermen continue to see good numbers of undersized lobsters and egg-bearing females in traps, which should bode well for the coming years.

Despite the increase in landings, Campbell said fishermen continue to face challenges because of the rising cost of fuel and bait, and lower prices for lobster.

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