The provincial government has issued an Expression of Interest for outside buyers to export live snow crab out-of-province.

In recent weeks fish harvesters have protested outside—and in some cases inside—Confederation Building to be allowed the right to sell their catch to outside buyers.

Fisheries Minister Elvis Loveless wrote FFAW President Greg Pretty, letting him know that he’s committed to increasing capacity in the province’s processing sector, but says that will be contingent—in part—on the Total Allowable Catch, which is set by DFO.

According to the province, the Expression of Interest includes a fish buyer’s licence application, to allow for the “timely” issuing of licences.

The FFAW says it is waiting for the minister’s full response to their latest letter and all the requests contained therein. That includes the lifting of caps, issuing new licenses and a provincial licensing review for all species, not just snow crab.