February 16, 2023
St. John’s, NL – Today, the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) announced a shared commitment to work together to address the challenges facing the crab fishery this season. With new leadership at the helm of both organizations, both parties agree that they will work together
to find a mutually beneficial solution for the upcoming snow crab fishery.
“In light of the challenges we are facing this year, we have agreed that our best approach is to collectively discuss the challenges the crab fishery is facing and to seek support from both levels of government to ensure that we have a successful crab fishery in 2023,” said Paul Grant, Board Chair, ASP. “The crab fishery contributes significantly to the provincial economy. At the end of day, it is in everyone’s best interest to come together and find a solution that works for processors, harvesters, plant workers and others who work in the industry.”
Discussions between the two parties will commence Monday, February 20, 2023, with an agreement to review both monetary and non-monetary issues.
“Working together to address issues like pricing, scheduling, and trip limits prior the start of the fishery is the best route to protect fish harvesters and plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a commitment from stakeholders to abide by the Collective Bargaining Act this year and important strides towards increased transparency, this is currently the best option for our members to avoid a repeat of 2022,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty.
Crab prices in 2022 began with a rollover of the record high price of $7.60/lb before being reconsidered at the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel to $6.15/lb. The quota increased by 32 per cent in the same year, resulting in a landed value of $758 million.
The snow crab fishery is the most valuable fishery in the province, contributing to the over $1.6 billion industry and directly supporting thousands of jobs.