Companies who process the fish say it’s time for the crab fishery to start. The Association of Seafood Producers says it will not negotiate further on price. The minimum price is $2.20 per pound as the bottom has dropped out of the market over the past year.
Government wants the association and FFAW to go back to the table but fish buyers say that is not on as the price has been set.
The companies which the association represents, about 20, will be losing money at the FFAW recommended price of $3.50.
The producers say there will be no fall fishery—it’s either now or never.
Jeff Loder, executive director of the association, says there will be no fall fishery—it’s either now or never.
The fall is not the best time to catch crab with quality issues such as hard shell, and it’s past the selling season, says Loder.
ASP says a fall fishery would create a free-for-all in crab fishery and not good for industry, so there will be no fall fishery. Either now or never. pic.twitter.com/TctJNPRkBj
— Brian Madore (@bmadorevocm) April 24, 2023
