Snow crab price talks advancing as FFAW and ASP show willingness to work together

A week of long days and almost around the clock negotiations has left the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union and the Association of Seafood Producers optimistic that a snow crab harvest will happen this year.

"The FFAW and ASP have done an incredible job together to have constructive conversations at this point," ASP executive director Jeff Loder said Wednesday.

"Of course, until you get a deal, you have no deal. But I am cautiously optimistic that we are close." 

FFAW president Dwan Street told CBC News she feels the two sides are showing a willingness to work together that wasn't always present in the past.

"I haven't seen one minute of negotiations that have been combative," she said.

"For the first time in a few years, we're very hopeful that we're going to get started on time, get some product in the market and everything's going to be moving smoothly."

The two sides are keen to negotiate a deal as soon as possible. A meeting with a price setting panel is scheduled for March 20 should the two sides not make an agreement by then. 

Loder says that meeting is the last thing they want.

Last year, the price at the start of the snow crab season was $2.60 per pound. It came after weeks of failed negotiation efforts and public protests that lead to the delay of the provincial budget when harvesters brought their concerns to the steps of Confederation Building.

The price was $3.75 per pound by the end of the season, but Street says she's confident a better price can be reached this time around. She hopes the season can start on, or around, March 27.

"The market is definitely higher year over year, so we're very confident," she said, adding markets are healthy.

WATCH | FFAW and ASP both say price negotiations for this year's crab fishery are going well:

Despite looming tariffs, industry officials optimistic about N.L. crab harvest

13 days ago

Duration 3:10

The FFAW and the ASP both say price negotiations for this year’s crab fishery are going well. This comes despite turmoil in recent years and a possibly huge economic hit from tariffs. The CBC’s Terry Roberts reports.

But prices aren't the only thing Street and Loder are sweating the details over, given economic threats to Canada from both the United States and China in the form of tariffs applying to seafood.

Street said the tariffs would be punishing, but there's still uncertainty on if and when they'll come into effect.

China has said tariffs would come into effect on March 20, and U.S. President Donald Trump has delayed tariffs twice already ahead of his deadline of April 2.

"That does seem to be the big elephant in the room," Street said.

"It's a big question. And then, of course we're getting into the weeds of, you know, who pays the tariff, who bears the tariff. And those are some of the discussions that are currently ongoing."

Speaking with CBC News on Tuesday, Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne said government support will be in place for those impacted in the fishery.

"This is going to be a very, very difficult year, but it can still be a successful year," Byrne said.

Talks will continue this week as Street travels with the FFAW to Seafood Expo North America in Boston.

Loder told CBC News he cancelled his trip to prioritize getting a deal done, but has been assured Street will be available for talks and that meetings will continue with a delegate.

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.