The FFAW is seeking meetings with Premier Andrew Furey and Labour Minister Bernard Davis following an urgent call last night with provincial fisheries minister Derrick Bragg on ways to resolve the low price set for snow crab this season.

The fish price setting panel set the price at $2.20 per pound, a price point that FFAW President Greg Pretty says is unsustainable. He says harvesters won’t fish for that price. He’s not calling it a strike, but a decision based on economic position.

The FFAW says Minister Bragg insisted that the Minister of Labour must be approached to determine how the province can legally navigate the collective agreement, and that the legislative process brought forward last year was the best solution they could offer for remodelling.

Pretty maintains that the new process is proving to be worse, with the starting price for snow crab a “non-starter” for the fishery. In an update provided to members yesterday, Pretty says open communication is critical, and it’s understood that the panel’s decision was not unanimous. He says both parties need to be called together with the province “to see if there is like-mindedness.” He’s requesting a meeting with Premier Andrew Furey and Minister Davis.