We’ll find out today if the latest offer from the ASP to harvesters is accepted and boats get back on the water to prosecute the lucrative crab fishery.
The FFAW and Association of Seafood Producers have been at odds over the $2.20 per pound set for snow crab this season.
Harvesters argued the price was far too low to justify the expense of fishing the resource, and boats have remained tied up for the last month.
ASP’s latest offer presented to the FFAW yesterday includes a provision that the price not go below $2.20 for this season, but could go up pending any request for reconsideration by the union or ASP.
Trip limits and scheduling will also be enforced “to ensure fairness and equity, and orderliness in the fishery.” Government officials including Fisheries Minister Derrick Bragg, Labour Minister Bernard Davis and Premier Andrew Furey helped to broker the latest offer.
The fishery is so important to our province, and I was happy to speak to the harvesters and producers today. Pleased to report a tentative agreement has been reached to get the crab fishery going.
Thank you, Min. Bragg and Min. @bernardjdavis, for your hard work!
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) May 5, 2023
In a news release, the union says there is also “a strong commitment to buy crab for the whole season.”
The union says it is putting the ASP offer to its inshore councils and to gauge interest in accepting it. A decision could come today.
The FFAW will also be asking DFO for season extensions.