Finally Friday, an obviously furious Derek Butler said processors have no choice but to buy crab for $1.35 per pound.
Butler, executive director of the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), said without any other options, processors will have to buy crab at the price the province's standing price-setting panel reinforced Friday, even if it bankrupts the industry.
"The panel simply doesn't get it. They don't understand economics. They don't understand markets and currency," Butler said. "If the goal here is to see our crab produced in China, then we are well on the way, thanks to this panel."
Fish Food and Allied Workers' (FFAW) president Earle McCurdy cautiously applauded the panel's decision, but said fishermen are not going to be making much money either at $1.35 per pound.
"We're not breaking out the champagne bottles; $1.35 is a marginal price for harvesters. Our industry is still on pretty thin financial ice," he said.
"We're looking forward to getting people on the water and getting some paycheques moving in the province."
The ASP initially boycotted the price-setting panel during talks earlier this spring; the panel settled on $1.35 per pound for the 2010 season.
The crab fishery opened April 1, but the province's processors refused to buy product at the established price.
Over the past month, the two sides have negotiated, proposing alternate pricing schemes without arriving at an agreement.
As a last-ditch move, the ASP approached the panel Wednesday, made its case and asked it to reduce the price.
Friday, the panel came back saying the price would remain at $1.35.
"I'm pleased that we have a price and that the season can get underway for everyone," Fisheries Minister Clyde Jackman said. "I hope that market prices will hold."
However, Jackman said with the season starting a month late, it was a clear sign the province has "a system that definitely does not work."
He said he'll be working to make sure they find solutions so the same drama doesn't play out next year.
McCurdy said he was hopeful the recent negotiations and discussions would help spark serious, structural change in the fishery.
"The discussions we had over the past 10 days with the processors - we touched on some very significant ground," he said. "It could provide the sort of spark for improving how we do some of these things."
Getting ready for those discussions, Butler said the processors would open their financial books at the end of the season to show how economically untenable the crab fishery is.
"I think the fishery is likely to collapse," he said. "I hope I'm wrong."
jmcleod@thetelegram.com
Crab processors accept $1.35
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Published on
May 1, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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James McLeod
ASP says price panel decision will lead to financial ruin
Finally Friday, an obviously furious Derek Butler said processors have no choice but to buy crab for $1.35 per pound.
Butler, executive director of the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), said without any other options, processors will have to buy crab at the price the province's standing price-setting panel reinforced Friday, even if it bankrupts the industry.
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Comments
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- Derek
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:09
Wouldn't be nice if we all had the industry support that the fishery gets in all our occupations??
Poor fisherman is an oxymoron. Just look at their lifestyles, their homes, toys and vehicles in the small communities. As for danger??? How about police?? Firefighters? Military, especially in Afghanistan and SAR bases? Stressful?? How about surgeons??
Give me and the rest of the hard working people of NF a break will you?? Stop whining and live with the downturn in your industry the way the rest of the self-employed people like small business owners, farmers, etc have to cope with. -
- I C Clearly
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:59
'Butler said the processors would open their financial books at the end of the season to show how economically untenable the crab fishery is.' br br If it's 'untenable' as Bulter states, the plants would not be opening. I suspect 'untenable' in Butler's opinion means prcessors are not making as many millions at a fair price as they have previously. If they don't like it, they can always sell their licenses.
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- Marty
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:46
Hey Crab Supporter, these men do not have to be out there. I'm sure they are out there so we can enjoy a meal of crab. Give me a break. They are out there for a few weeks so they can draw the pogey for the rest of the year. So don't try to put play that card because we all know the deal. Fish for a couple of weeks, then get on the wack the rest of the year.
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- Fisherman's daughter
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:25
To Marty....You have no clue !!!!!
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- Crab Supporter
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:01
Over the last few weeks I have seen many comments made towards the fishermen/fisherwomen of how they think everyone should pitty them and calling them a term we have all heard... poor fishermen . To all of you who have made poor comments towards these working people, did you ever once consider what conditions they work in? These men and women risk their lives in dangerous conditions just so people can enjoy a meal of crab. In my opinion they should recieve more than $1.35. Think before you comment the next time and try to picture yourself out there fishing.
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- Jack
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:07
Hey Derek
Buy a boat and go fishing if you are that envious! Fishermen have been ripped off y merchants for hundreds of years.........anyway go have a big mac for yourself!!Your kinda food!
What support BTW?..you moron.
With all due respect where do the wages of these professionals come from........where do the money for the wages come from.....oh I know the new dollars generated by the fishermen!? -
- greg
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:39
Once again Roadrunner Earle defeats the hapless Fishmerchant Coyote and brings extra millions to his members. Congratulations fisher folk and shore workers!
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- Derek
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:29
Wouldn't be nice if we all had the industry support that the fishery gets in all our occupations??
Poor fisherman is an oxymoron. Just look at their lifestyles, their homes, toys and vehicles in the small communities. As for danger??? How about police?? Firefighters? Military, especially in Afghanistan and SAR bases? Stressful?? How about surgeons??
Give me and the rest of the hard working people of NF a break will you?? Stop whining and live with the downturn in your industry the way the rest of the self-employed people like small business owners, farmers, etc have to cope with. -
- I C Clearly
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:49
'Butler said the processors would open their financial books at the end of the season to show how economically untenable the crab fishery is.' br br If it's 'untenable' as Bulter states, the plants would not be opening. I suspect 'untenable' in Butler's opinion means prcessors are not making as many millions at a fair price as they have previously. If they don't like it, they can always sell their licenses.
-
- Marty
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:27
Hey Crab Supporter, these men do not have to be out there. I'm sure they are out there so we can enjoy a meal of crab. Give me a break. They are out there for a few weeks so they can draw the pogey for the rest of the year. So don't try to put play that card because we all know the deal. Fish for a couple of weeks, then get on the wack the rest of the year.
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- Fisherman's daughter
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:52
To Marty....You have no clue !!!!!
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- Crab Supporter
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:36:00
Over the last few weeks I have seen many comments made towards the fishermen/fisherwomen of how they think everyone should pitty them and calling them a term we have all heard... poor fishermen . To all of you who have made poor comments towards these working people, did you ever once consider what conditions they work in? These men and women risk their lives in dangerous conditions just so people can enjoy a meal of crab. In my opinion they should recieve more than $1.35. Think before you comment the next time and try to picture yourself out there fishing.
-
- Jack
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:30:52
Hey Derek
Buy a boat and go fishing if you are that envious! Fishermen have been ripped off y merchants for hundreds of years.........anyway go have a big mac for yourself!!Your kinda food!
What support BTW?..you moron.
With all due respect where do the wages of these professionals come from........where do the money for the wages come from.....oh I know the new dollars generated by the fishermen!? -
- greg
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:16:47
Once again Roadrunner Earle defeats the hapless Fishmerchant Coyote and brings extra millions to his members. Congratulations fisher folk and shore workers!
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