Government, industry and union bosses have reached an agreement on opening the 2023 snow crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The industry has been at a standstill for the past six weeks after the Fish Food and Allied Workers union argued that the province’s price-setting panel had set the per-pound price too low for harvesters to make a profit.
The impasse has now ended after the Honourable Dr Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, met leaders from the FFAW and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) on 19 May.
Jeff Loder, ASP’s executive director, said he was relieved to have reached an agreement with the FFAW for the 2023 crab season.
“It’s been a troubling few weeks faced with much uncertainty,” he said, “but we are confident that we can still have a successful fishery, with public safety top of mind.
“We are eager to start processing crab, and to provide meaningful employment to the thousands of plant workers that rely on the industry, and we are looking forward to exporting premium quality snow crab that will be enjoyed worldwide.”
The deal between ASP and FFAW guarantees a minimum price of CA$2.20 and includes incremental increases as market rates go up. The price paid to fishermen will rise to CAD$2.25 if the Urner Barry price for snow crab reaches CA$4.85, CA$2.30 if it reaches CA$4.95, CA$2.60 if it hits CA$5.50 and CA$2.75 if the price surpasses CA$6.00. If the price goes past this the ASP has agreed to reconsider the fishery’s price structure.
