FFAW celebrating 'significant victory' as panel sets snow crab price

The province's price-setting panel has sided with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers' snow crab pricing offer of a $4.97 per pound floor price this season.

FFAW president Dwan Street told CBC Radio's The Broadcast that the union is seeing the decision as a victory.

"The negotiating team that was put together, I think is probably the best team we've ever had," she said.

Street stressed that the $4.97 is not the final price of snow crab per pound, but just a base — there will be an adjustment at the end of the year and harvesters will be rebated.

"[With] what we put into place, everybody will be paid fairly. Everyone will be paid equally," said Street.

The decision came the same day the 2025 season opened. In a Facebook post Thursday afternoon, the FFAW stated it was "mobilizing efforts to locate buyers willing to pay the FFAW price — regardless of the panel outcome."

The Association of Seafood Producers offered the panel a starting price of $4.50 per pound with a weekly adjustment.

The FFAW's final offer was designed to accommodate harvesters throughout the province who may be affected by fluctuations in price due to factors beyond their control, such as weather and scheduling.

"If harvesters in St. Anthony are delayed because of ice, they're going to get the same price as a harvester in St. John's who can set pots later this week," the FFAW's website reads in a post published the day the final offer was submitted.

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