Province welcomes snow crab deal as industry reaches ‘uneasy’ agreement for 2026 season

The provincial government is welcoming a new agreement between fish harvesters and seafood processors for the 2026 snow crab fishing season, following months of negotiations and industry uncertainty.

FFAW-Unifor and Association of Seafood Producers announced Thursday they have reached what they describe as an “uneasy agreement” to resolve the current dispute and allow the fishery to move forward.

The deal provides a framework to begin the season while allowing prices to adjust with market conditions as it progresses.

Under the agreement, harvesters will be paid $6.00 per pound for crab landed up to and including April 18, establishing a starting price as vessels head to sea. Beginning April 19, the price will drop to $5.75 per pound until market pricing from Urner Barry begins to be published.

Once Urner Barry starts quoting, harvester prices will be determined using an agreed pricing formula tied directly to market values. If those quotes result in a higher price than $5.75 per pound, harvesters will receive retroactive payments for the difference. If the market price is lower, harvesters will retain the $5.75 rate for that period.

The agreement does not include a minimum floor price, meaning earnings will fluctuate with market conditions throughout the season. It also removes any holdback or post-season adjustment, relying instead on weekly market pricing. Updated prices will be posted weekly.

The deal differs significantly from a previous panel decision and is aimed at providing more immediate stability as the season gets underway.

Industry leaders also noted that harvesters in northern areas, particularly in zones 2J and 3K, continue to face heavy ice conditions that could delay the start of their season by several weeks. Maintaining market stability early is seen as critical for those unable to fish immediately.

In a statement, the provincial government said it worked closely with both sides to address longstanding challenges and help bring about a resolution. It praised the cooperation between the parties, calling the agreement a positive step toward strengthening the province’s fishing industry.

The snow crab fishery remains a key economic driver in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2025, the landed value of the fishery exceeded $700 million.