Provincial fisheries minister Gerry Byrne is defending his decision to extend the deadline for the Fish Price Setting Panel’s decision on snow crab prices this season.

Byrne extended the deadline from April 1st to the13th, raising the ire of the Association of Seafood Producers who sought clarity on the matter in the Supreme Court this week.

The judge will rule next week on whether or not the province overstepped its authority in the matter.

Byrne says his reason for extending the process was to maintain stability.

He says the lead negotiator had to withdraw from the process due to a “personal experience” that was known by both parties. “It had to be acted upon” says Byrne, “it had to be continued as a fair process.”

Jeff Loder of the ASP says other union reps have acted in that role before and during the current round of talks.

With price-setting of other species still to come, ASP is asking the court to quash the minister’s order to at least clarify the issue.