The FFAW remains hopeful that an apparent rebound in crab markets will translate to a much better fishing season this year.

The opening of the snow crab fishery is about two months away and one of the issues that kept prices down last year was a sluggish US market.

Union President Greg Pretty says existing inventories were drawn down by a busy holiday season for American restaurants.

He says crab inventories in the US were normal heading into the holidays, and “crab moved along very, very well according to market reports.” That’s resulted in “some bounce in the market” on crab sections, and “that’s positive” says Pretty.

Meanwhile, crab price negotiations continue.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll arrive at a good spot, in short order.”