Fisheries Minister stands firm on extending the deadline for a price on snow crab

Gerry Byrne says this led to the Association of Seafood Producers taking it to the Supreme Court for a decision and the lead FFAW negotiator was on medical leave, and could not take part in discussions which created imbalance.

Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne stands by a decision to extend the deadline from April 1st to the 13th for the Fish Price Setting Panel’s decision on snow crab prices this season. This led to the Association of Seafood Producers taking it to the Supreme Court for a decision. Byrne says the lead FFAW negotiator was on medical leave and could not take part in discussions which created imbalance. He says Ocean Choice International, Beothuk Seafoods and Quinlan Brothers, a.k.a. the ASP, these companies had an option to bargain collectively instead of taking this to court. Byrne says he is not delaying the crab fishery, it could start tomorrow if there was an agreement on price. He says collective bargaining is the tool of choice, now that there is certainty of no tariffs on NL seafood into the US, there is market information from crab harvesters that have been on the waters off cape Breton since March 17th, he is certain there will be a crab fishery.  The judge is expected to announce a ruling this week to determine whether or not there has been government interference.