The fallout continues over the price set for snow crab this fishing season.
On Thursday, the price-setting panel sided with seafood producers, setting the number at $2.20 a pound, almost a dollar less than what the FFAW had proposed, and half what it was last year.
FFAW President Greg Pretty is livid with the decision, calling it “unsustainable” and not worth fishing for, adding harvesters know they’ll lose money, after paying for insurance, fuel, bait and crew.
“Nobody can go to work and not make money, but that’s what this panel has done, and they’ve said it’s $2.20, good luck to ya,” Pretty told VOCM News.
“They’ve taken the entire hit from a declining market and transferred it 100 per cent to the harvesters of this province. We gave up working for nothing for those processors 50 years ago, and there’s not much appetite to go back at that again.”
Pretty estimates the price will result in a loss of $500 million from this year’s fishery.
He calls that an “economic bombshell” that will put many people and businesses deep in the hole.
“We will have a lot of poverty this year and we’re going to have bankruptcies because of this crazy decision.”
FFAW leadership plan to meet over the long weekend to decide their next move, but they are seeking a meeting with the premier and federal officials on the issue.
The union is also warning the association of seafood producers not to import product from outside the province while local struggles continue.
Pretty says such a scenario would only make the situation worse and potentially create safety issues on the water and at the dock.
