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Snow Crab Pricing Update

April 16, 2026 / Media Releases, Member Updates

Following discussions between FFAW-Unifor and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), the parties have reached an uneasy agreement to resolve the current dispute and allow the snow crab fishery to

Snow Crab Update April 13 9pm

April 13, 2026 / Media Releases, Member Updates

The crab negotiating committee met this evening. Rest assured that lines of communication are open and active, and we will have an update tomorrow as soon as possible.

Member Update – April 13

April 13, 2026 / Media Releases, Member Updates

We know many members have questions about the current situation in the crab fishery. At this time, the decision of the Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel remains in effect, meaning a

20,591

FFAW-Unifor

14,000 working Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - a history steeped in the fishing industry.

FFAW-Unifor

2 days ago

🔴INFORMATION ABOUT CHANGES TO EU IMPORT RULES We know companies have been asking harvesters for information from their fishing license and also asking you to complete a new section on NOLS. This is for the European Union Catch Certification Program. Below is information explaining why companies are seeking this information and what your responsibilities are. EU CATCH CERTIFICATION The European Union (EU) has updated its seafood import regulations, including a new digital “CATCH” system that became mandatory for imports on January 10, 2026. Any Canadian fish or seafood exported to the EU must now be accompanied by a valid catch certificate issued through DFO’s Catch Certification Program. WHY THIS MATTERS-Processors and exporters cannot ship product to the EU without complete and accurate catch information linked to each shipment. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS-Harvesters are not legally required by the EU regulation to complete catch certificates themselves.-However, Canadian processors/exporters who sell into the EU are legally required to obtain a catch certificate for their product, and they cannot do that without key catch details from licence holders.-In practice, this means buyers will need timely, accurate information from harvesters so they can complete the certification process and keep EU markets open. WHAT HARVESTERS NEED TO PROVIDE When you land to a buyer who may export to the EU, you should provide at minimum:-Licence number-Catch dates-Fishing area / management area-Net weight sold This is the core information needed to link your catches to the processor’s export documentation for the EU. AUTHORIZING YOUR BUYER TO SIGN ON YOUR BEHALF Because catch certificates are issued at the point of export, DFO has a process that allows licence holders to authorize their fish buyer/company to sign EU catch certificates for their vessel. To do this: -Log in to your National Online Licensing System (NOLS) account.-Select the Catch Certification Program request.-Designate your fish buyer/company as your authorized representative.-Submit the request to DFO. Buyers cannot sign EU catch certificates on your behalf unless you complete this authorization in NOLS. QUESTIONS OR HELP For questions about the Catch Certification Program, contact DFO:-Phone: 1 888 641 6464-Email: DFO.CCP-PCC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca-Hours (ET): Weekdays 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Weekends 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM ... See MoreSee Less

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FFAW-Unifor

4 days ago

📣🦀SNOW CRAB OPENING IN CFA 3C- DELAYEDCrab Fishing Area 3C will NOT open on April 19th, 2026 as previously announced.Crab Management Area 3C will now open at 0001 hours on April 26, 2026, for the purpose of travelling to the fishing ground. Fish harvesters are reminded that they are not authorized to set Crab traps until 6 hours after the Snow Crab Fishery season has opened.Therefore, any setting of Crab traps or possession of Crab before 0600 hours on April 26th, 2026, is prohibited. If you have any further questions, please reach out to Staff Rep Julian Ryan at 709 732-2515. ... See MoreSee Less

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FFAW-Unifor

4 days ago

📣 🦞 AREA 11W LOBSTER SEASON OPENING DATEFFAW received several requests to move the Area 11W lobster season opening date from April 27 to May 4. To ensure all voices were heard, all registered harvesters in 11W were contacted directly and asked to confidentially vote. A total of 91% of eligible harvesters participated in the vote, with the majority in favor of an April 27th start date. Based on these results, the opening date for LFA 11W will remain April 27th, with setting on April 25th and 26th. We recognize there are differing views and ask that all discussions remain respectful. For further information, please contact Area Rep, Crystal-Lynn Gorman at clgorman@ffaw.ca or 709-690-8803. ... See MoreSee Less

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FFAW-Unifor

5 days ago

🔴🦀 Snow Crab Pricing UpdateFollowing discussions between FFAW-Unifor and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), the parties have reached an uneasy agreement to resolve the current dispute and allow the snow crab fishery to move forward. While the situation has been difficult, this agreement provides a path to getting the fishery underway while allowing prices to adjust with market conditions as the season progresses.Under the agreement, harvesters will be paid $6.00 per pound for crab landed up to and including Saturday, April 18. This provides an immediate starting price as vessels begin fishing.From Sunday, April 19, until Urner Barry (UB) begins quoting the market, harvesters will be paid $5.75 per pound. Once Urner Barry begins quoting, the market price will determine the harvester price using the agreed pricing structure. If the Urner Barry market quote results in a price higher than $5.75 per pound, harvesters will be paid retroactively for the difference on any landings made during that period.Once Urner Barry begins quoting, the pricing table attached below will apply. The price to harvesters will follow the structure outlined in that table, which is tied directly to Urner Barry market quotes. Currency adjustments will be applied based on the week of landing, while accounting for the base currency that was used when developing the table.The price to harvesters will be posted each week by Monday at noon following the week of landing at: ffaw.ca/inshore/fish-prices/This agreement differs from the Panel decision in several important ways. There is no floor price under this arrangement, meaning the price to harvesters will adjust with the market during the fishing season. There is also no holdback or post-season adjustment. Instead, prices throughout the season will rely on Urner Barry market quotes rather than processor receipts at the end of the year.It is also important to recognize that harvesters in 2J and 3K continue to face severe ice conditions, and the fishery in those areas is still weeks away from beginning. Maintaining stability in the market now is particularly important for those harvesters who will not be able to access the fishery until much later in the season.*The pricing structure for the 2026 snow crab fishing season shall be as in the attached table*In advance of the first UB quote (UB Crab, Snow, Cluster, Newfoundland, 5-8 oz, low), the price to harvesters will be $6.00/lb for >4” carapace from April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026.Effective April 19, 2026, 12:00AM NDT, the price paid to harvesters will be $5.75/lb for >4” carapace, until such time that the first UB quote of NL 5-8oz sections low issued.From the point of the first UB NL 5-8oz low quote is issued, the price to harvesters will be based on the interval table above, using the weekly average of the Tuesday and Thursday UB NL 5-8oz low quote and the currency provision as outlined in Appendix A.During the time period prior to the first UB quote, should the initial UB NL 5-8oz low quote create a higher price to harvesters than $5.75/lb, processors will rebate harvesters the price difference for the period prior to the quote.Should the initial UB NL 5-8oz low quote create a lower price to harvesters than the $5.75/lb, harvesters will retain the $5.75/lb for that time period, and no deduction will be applied.All other terms and conditions as per the 2025 crab schedule, including the 20% tolerance for <4” crab, remain in place. ... See MoreSee Less

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FFAW-Unifor

1 week ago

🔴APRIL 13 SNOW CRAB UPDATEThe crab negotiating committee met this evening. Rest assured that lines of communication are open and active, and we will have an update tomorrow as soon as possible. ... See MoreSee Less

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