I never thought I’d be a Lobster Fisher
I also never thought I’d live in PEI as an adult.
I thought I’d come home and visit once or twice a year. Maybe have a nice little cottage and then go back-and-forth to my corporate job out west. PEI would always be home but I would only be there for short visits.
Now I live here again and have been back almost as long as I’d be gone. I’m grateful that I’m now feeling much more integrated into the community than I thought I would I would be.
It was a weird transition that came with a lot of ups and down.
I went through a lot of change in a short period of time. Within the span of a year I:
broke up with a boyfriend of eight years
started dating someone new very quickly
sold my condo
moved to New Brunswick (and stayed 8 months before moving back to PEI)
Looking back, I think this is when I really started to want more for myself. Or maybe you could say I wanted something different.
I had always equated making more money to being successful. Yet, climbing the corporate ladder and growing my income each year wasn’t giving me the satisfaction I thought it would.
I think the break up was the first domino to fall and then a lot of things happened from that. At times I look back and am surprised and proud of myself for following my gut without any sense of where it was taking me. I was jumping without knowing if there was something to catch me, but there always was. I’m so glad I didn’t let fear hold me back.
And I am so grateful for all of this change.
Right now, I’m sitting here next to the ocean reflecting, waiting for the boat to come in and I’m realizing how proud I am for making these changes and for making me a priority.
When I moved home, I didn’t really have a plan or idea what that would look like. I found a job that was a good match for my skills and in true Julie Ann fashion went all in on it.
It was exactly what I needed to get me home and be able to figure out what was next.
Once I was home for a bit I had a tug that told me I should talk to Jamie about running Joey’s together when dad was ready to move on. I had no idea it would happen so quickly or what it was going to entail but I soon found myself quitting my full time job and jumping into this world of tourism.
I never would have considered this if I hadn’t already been on the island. It’s funny to look back and see how the choices I’ve made are exactly what was needed to get me to where I am today.
Getting back to lobster fishing…
Even though I was enjoying running the deep sea fishing business, I was struggling to balance having enough income for the rest of the year. One day I just brought it up with dad to get his thoughts on whether I should try fishing lobster.
If you know Joey, you can imagine how exciting this was for him. I’m sure it came with mixed feelings too but my dad has always supported me and of course encouraged me to give this a try. So, in 2022, I dedicated 1 day a week to trying it out in order to see if I would go full time.
And, it turns out, I really enjoy it!
Even with the 2023 season being pretty terrible weather wise, I was embracing the way of life and soaking up all the learning I could. I’m very grateful we got an amazing season for 2024 with great weather once we got the traps in the water!
Lobster fishing has always been part of my life. My dad has been doing it for over 50 years.
I just didn’t think I ever would. I never expressed interest in it growing up. I was going to work in an office, wearing power suits and heels. Crazy how different my life is now!
I honestly feel like lobster fishing is the perfect fit for me. It’s a challenging two months. Going to bed at 7:30pm, waking at 3:30am, turning down social invites, having a physical job for the first time ever. Note: I do a lot of stretching during this time!
But it’s so magical too. I get to spend the days on the water with my dad. He’s teaching me so much and I get to test my strength (physically and mentally) with so many things!
The question I keep getting now is if I’ll take over when dad is ready to retire. And to be totally honest, I don’t have an answer for that yet. I’m choosing to enjoy what’s working now and waiting to see what comes in the next few years. It’s absolutely a possibility but not one I’m locking myself into just yet.
For now, I’m going to keep learning and sharing about this unique and exciting profession! Drop any questions you have below!
