FFAW-Unifor Condemns ASP Member Companies, Quinsea/Royal Greenland, for Illegal Lockout and Bad Faith Practices in Sea Cucumber Fishery

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) is calling out the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) member companies, particularly Quinsea and Royal Greenland, for their blatant refusal to pay the panel-set price of $0.69 per pound for sea cucumber. These companies are now undercutting NL harvesters by landing product from St. Pierre and Miquelon.

An independent market report by the provincial government confirmed robust market demand, validating the FFAW’s position during the price-setting panel. Instead, ASP companies are exploiting harvesters by landing sea cucumber from St. Pierre and Miquelon at a mere $0.50 per pound, undermining Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters and engaging in what amounts to an illegal lockout.

This predatory behavior is part of a disturbing pattern of bad faith actions by Royal Greenland, a crown corporation of the Government of Denmark, which continues to prioritize profits over the livelihoods of Newfoundland and Labrador’s coastal communities. Smaller processing companies, initially willing to purchase sea cucumber at the panel-set price, have abruptly reversed their stance, raising serious concerns about collusion and pressure from larger ASP members like Quinsea/Royal Greenland. Such actions signal illegal activity and a deliberate attempt to suppress fair market practices, further threatening the sustainability of the inshore fishery.

“This is nothing short of an illegal lockout and a slap in the face to Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters,” says FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street.

“Quinsea/Royal Greenland’s refusal to honour the panel-set price, coupled with their importation of cheaper product from another country, is a calculated move to undercut our harvesters and weaken the collective bargaining process. The sudden about-face by smaller processors, who were ready to buy at the fair price, reeks of coercion by the big players. This cartel-like behavior must end, and we demand immediate action from the provincial government to hold these companies accountable.”

FFAW-Unifor is calling for an urgent investigation into these anti-competitive practices and for consequences to be imposed on ASP member companies, particularly Quinsea/Royal Greenland, for their bad faith behavior. The union is requesting an immediate meeting with Fisheries Minister Lisa Dempster to address this crisis and ensure that processing licenses are used to benefit Newfoundland and Labrador’s people, not foreign corporations.

“A fish processing license is a privilege, not a right. Royal Greenland’s actions demonstrate a complete disregard for our harvesters, plant workers, and rural communities. We will not stand by while they exploit our fishery for their own gain,” concludes Street.

Media inquiries:

Courtney Glode, FFAW Director of Public Affairs, cglode@ffaw.ca