The Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) said it will be “boots on the ground” by 13 January if the provincial government in Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t take steps regarding the conflict over a recent decision made on crab rebates.
An auditor recently determined a contractual rebate that is given to harvesters should be CAD 0.28 (USD 0.20, EUR 0.17) per pound of snow crab, an amount the FFAW said is unacceptable based on the market for the product.
“Newfoundland and Labrador crab is worth the same as Maritime crab in international markets, yet our harvesters are being significantly shortchanged their fair share due to a corrupt and anti-competitive processing industry,” FFAW President Dwan Street said in a release.
Street said the union is calling on Tony Wakeham, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, to take action to address the situation and that he has agreed to meet on 13 January.
“This situation may have been created by past governments and immoral companies, but it’s now up to Premier Wakeham to see this fixed once and for all,” Street said.
The FFAW claims there has been a big jump in the gap in the prices paid for Newfoundland snow crab compared to prices paid for Gulf of St. Lawrence crab. According to the union, that gap jumped in 2024 and 2025, going from an average of USD 0.09 (EUR 0.07) per pound from 2015 to 2023 years to a gap of USD 1.06 (EUR 0.90) in 2025.
“Harvesters will not accept this inexplicable disparity in prices, and until a satisfactory solution is put in place, both companies and government have been put on notice,” the union said.
The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), which represents processors in the region, said the settlement price reflects verified market returns based on the formula brought forward by the FFAW and is not the result of any bad-faith actions by the processors.
“ASP also cautions against rhetoric being shared by the FFAW, including its president, that risks deepening divisions within the fishery and, more importantly, undermining the industry’s global reputation – ultimately creating market uncertainty that can impact prices,” ASP said in release. “This industry depends on harvesters, processors, plant workers, and communities working within a rules-based system. ASP remains committed to transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement with harvesters, government, and all stakeholders to ensure a fair, stable, and sustainable snow crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
