ORLANDO Fla. Darden Restaurants’ Red Lobster chain is taking steps to sustain the beleaguered lobster trade of Canada’s New Brunswick province, media reports say.
According to the news stories, provincial fisheries minister Rick Doucet said he has been negotiating with Red Lobster to secure aid for New Brunswick's $400-million lobster fishery, and has high hopes that the casual-dining chain would play an active role through future deals in preserving the stocks.
The assistance from Red Lobster would come in the form of grants from parent Darden, which since 1997 has contributed $4 million for conservation efforts worldwide through its environmental trust fund.
Red Lobster spokeswoman Wendy Spirduso would not reveal how many New Brunswick lobsters make it to the tables of the chain’s 680 North American restaurants. But the numbers were high enough to give the company a vested interest, she was quoted as saying in a story.
“Lobster is our icon,” Spirduso is quoted as saying in a news story. “Enhancing that stock, being sure that it's protected, being sure that it's sustainable is very important to us.
In addition to providing funds, Red Lobster might increase the number of lobster it imports from the province through large-scale purchasing agreements, which would also aid in conservation, Spirduso reportedly said.
The story mentioned a report from the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council that warned of increasing pressure on lobster stocks unless strong measures are taken.
A combination of increased demand and unusually stormy weather combined this spring to tighten American restaurants’ supply of lobsters this spring. Chefs reported that the cost doubled.
