LENNOX ISLAND, P.E.I. — Though it only opened its doors a few months ago, Native-owned Minigoo Fisheries recently laid off employees and filed for protection from creditors.

Minigoo dismissed workers last week, citing the need to restructure the company. Though layoffs are common and expected in the seasonal fishing industry, the CBC recently learned that the company planed to file court papers to prevent creditors from potentially bankrupting the ailing fishery. If the court accepts the proposal, Minigoo will have 30 days to come up a plan to refinance the company.

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.EI. — With plenty of oil still being blasted into the Gulf of Mexico, the famous seafood markets and restaurants in many Gulf States are starting to feel the pinch, as local shrimp and oyster availability plummets. Fortunately, producers in P.E.I. are more than willing to lend a hand — and some East Coast mussels — to the cause.

P.E.I. — Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are proving quite the boon to Prince Edward Island’s tourism sector, as they tape four episodes of their New York-based talk show, Live! with Regis and Kelly, at Confederation Landing Park in Charlottetown this week.

According to the CBC, although the province and federal government spent $1 million to attract the popular talk show, the return has made the investment worthwhile. "We estimated that we've got about $5-million worth of advertising so far, and that was even before we started broadcasting from here in Confederation Landing," P.E.I. premier, Robert Ghiz, was quoted as saying by the CBC.

By now you may have already heard that the namesake stars of the New York-based show Live! with Regis and Kelly are heading to Prince Edward Island to film four episodes of their popular morning program in July. The excitable duo has plans to explore the entire Island and discover all there is to learn about P.E.I. history, culture and food.

It is good news for restaurant owners who are already hoping for an influx of American tourists after the show airs, especially considering the fact that 2009 was such a miserable year for tourism. And, the province is banking on it — as they’ve allegedly invested $750,000 to bring the show north.