FFAW says crab price is not sustainable

The Standing Fish Price Setting Panel has set the price of snow crab for the start of the 2023 fishing season at $2.20. That number was put forward by the Association of Seafood Producers. The Negotiating Committee had asked for a price of $3.10.

As a result, there has been a unanimous decision to not fish at the unsustainable price. This position will be reviewed in the coming weeks.

FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty said, “The Panel’s decision today has put our industry in the most precarious situation it’s ever been in. People can’t fish at 2.20. They can’t hire crew, they can’t generate enough to pay business loans, insurance, purchase fuel or bait, and still break even at the end of the day. When it comes to dollars and cents, this catastrophe rivals the cod moratorium.”

FFAW-Unifor is requesting a meeting with Premier Furey.

FFAW-Unifor will be meeting with all Crab Committees throughout the province to review the ongoing situation.