This afternoon, auditors with Deloitte finished their analysis to determine the end of season settlement payment for snow crab. The news comes over two months after the receipt submission deadline.
The final rebate amount has been calculated to be $0.28 cents for a total price of $5.25 per pound. The arbitration process for the remainder amount is still ongoing.
The Negotiating Committee has just finished meeting to discuss the situation and plan next steps.
Based on the available market information, the calculated rebate amount is far below what the Negotiating Committee expected. It is abundantly clear that ASP is significantly manipulating sales information to withhold harvesters’ fair share of profits.
FFAW-Unifor has repeatedly asked current and former governments for stricter transparency rules around processing licenses and to address corporate control in the industry. Today’s rebate results are the final straw for fish harvesters who are demanding fairness and transparency.
The Inshore Council & Negotiating Committee will be consulting with their respective fleets to decide the Union’s next actions. Make no mistake – today’s result will not be tolerated. The widening gap between Gulf and NL prices must be immediately addressed through provincial and federal government policy and we will not rest until this has been achieved. In addition to the urgent changes needed at the provincial level, we have also asked our lawyer to investigate the federal Competition Act and how corporate control in the NL fishing industry is causing undue hardship on owner-operators and coastal communities.
More details to come as soon as available.
