Ocean Choice’s processing facility in Port aux Choix will be purchasing shrimp at a rate above the minimum price set by the Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel.

Ocean Choice CEO Martin Sullivan released a statement yesterday evening, saying they are committed to employees and operations in rural areas of the province, and understand the stress the dispute between processors and harvesters has caused.

Sullivan says OCI feels it is in the best interest of everyone that the summer fishery gets underway, so they will start purchasing shrimp in the coming days at what he’s calling a “competitive price” above the minimum set by the panel.

The provincial government is offering the services of an arbitrator to sort out the dispute between the FFAW and the Association of Seafood Producers.