2024 Snow Crab Landings Update For NL, Gulf and Maritimes Region As of April 29

Canadian snow crab harvesters are continuing to haul in their catch. According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO),  Area 12 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has already landed 65.68% of their total allowable catch for this year. As of April 29, harvesters have caught 14,289.416 t, with 7,466.658 t left in the water.

Landings in CFA 20-22 in the Maritimes Region are on par with Area 12. Harvesters there have landed 66.13% of their TAC. The total quota for CFA 20-22 is 937.635 metric tonnes, so harvesters have 317.566 metric tonnes left in the water. 

CFA 23-24E in the Maritimes Region is moving a bit slower...

Lobster Fishing Along Canada's Eastern Shore Begins

Lobster fishing along Canada’s Eastern Shore began on April 19, with fishermen pulling up their first catches the following day.

While the price of lobster varies, high prices in Nova Scotia can be attributed to a low quantity being caught, compared to past years.

“Leading up to the Canadian spring season, the shore price soared to a record high of $20.00 CAD in March, driving market prices for all sizes to unprecedented levels, surpassing previous records set in 2022. However, with new fishing areas opening up and catch levels on...

FFAW And ASP Come To Agreement To Start 2024 Snow Crab Fishery

Snow crab harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador are ready to hit the water. The Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) Union and Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) finally reached an agreement Sunday evening, ending the week-long delay to the start of the season.

Last week, ASP submitted an offer to FFAW of $3/ lb. to get harvesters in the water. The organization said that the $3/ lb. would stand for the first three weeks of the fishery before moving to the formula that...

2024 Snow Crab Landings Update For NL, Gulf and the Maritimes Region As Of April 12

It has been a week since the snow crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador opened, but harvesters still have yet to hit the water as the standoff over pricing continues between the Fish, Food and Allied Workers and the Association of Seafood Producers. 

Newfoundland and Labrador has the largest quota in Canada, with the total allowable catch (TAC) for this year set at 57,586 tonnes. But while snow crab has yet to be landed in NL, the fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence...

Norway Achieves MSC Certification For Barents Sea Snow Crab

On April 8, Norwegian Barents Sea snow crab became Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified. Although the fishery will have to continue to undergo surveillance audits, the MSC Certification is good for a period of five years.

MSC Certification assessments look at stock health, environmental impacts and effective management. Global Trust Certification, a third party auditor, began reviewing the fishery for certification in 2023. Last month, Global Trust released documents stating that they believe the Norwegian snow crab fishery should be certified, and just a few weeks later the...

2024 Snow Crab Landings Update For NL, Gulf and the Maritimes Region As Of April 9

Snow crab harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador may be sitting out waiting for better prices, but the season is underway elsewhere in Canada.

According to preliminary data released by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), harvesters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Area 12) have landed almost 14% of the quota as of April 9. The initial quota for Area 12 — including traditional fleet (01), First Nations (02) and New Access (03) — was set at 22,236.416 t and revised to 21,756.074 t. The season opened...

NL 2024 Snow Crab Price Decision Made; FFAW Harvesters Say They Won’t Fish

The Standing Fish Price Setting Panel has made a decision on the price for 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab. And just like last year, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) are refusing to go out on the water.

FFAW and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) have been negotiating a pricing formula since the start of the year. But when the two parties were unable to come to an agreement at the end of March, they were forced to...

NASEM Committee Announces Findings Between Seafood Consumption and Child Growth 

A committee with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a webinar this week, examining the connection between seafood consumption — particularly in women of a child bearing age, pregnant and breastfeeding women — and child growth and development. 

The Committee on the Role of Seafood Consumption in Child Growth and Development looked at finfish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and marine and freshwater fish. The aim of this research was to better understand the nutritional benefits of seafood consumption weighed against the health risks. The group found that...

2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab Quota Announced; TAC Up 5.2%

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the 2024 snow crab fishery quota and season dates for Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday. Certain areas are set to open on April 6 and the overall quota for the region is up 5.2% from last season.

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the Newfoundland and Labrador region is set at 57,586 tonnes. To compare, last year the fishery had the TAC set at 54,727 tonnes, which was up 8.4% from 2022.

3LNO holds the largest quota at...

Poseidon Ocean Systems Secures $20.75 Million in Series B Funding For New Aquaculture Technology

Salmon aquaculture company Poseidon Ocean Systems has secured $20.75 million in Series B financing. This second round of financing is through the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), InBC Investment Corp., and Export Development Canada. 

The funding will allow Poseidon to broaden relationships with farmers in Canada, Chile, and the UK, while also providing the Vancouver-based company with the ability to explore new markets. 

The goal is to boost Poseidon’s manufacturing capacity and grow its Hybrid Sea Cage Systems, which are designed for...

Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence 2024 Snow Crab Openings Announced For Zone 12A, 17

Some details on the 2024 Canadian snow crab season are finally being released. This week the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the opening date for certain areas in the Quebec Region.

Zone 12A, which has a total allowable catch of 40 tonnes, will open on March 24 at 5 a.m. EDT and run for 10 weeks. The decision was agreed upon in discussions with First nations, as well as the industry. The DFO noted that “in accordance with the...

FFAW Provides Update On Members Protesting For Free Enterprise

The Fish, Food & Allied Workers (FFAW) union is continuing to push for free enterprise.

Some members of FFAW have been protesting outside the Confederation Building in recent weeks, calling for more competition and market access for harvesters. While the protests are occurring ahead of the start of the snow crab season in Newfoundland and Labrador, the group says that the issue — and request for free enterprise — “does not pertain solely to snow crab.” Instead it’s for all commercial species fished by inshore licenses.”

Fisheries Minister Elvis Loveless...

Phillips Foods Awarded Winning Bid To Acquire Assets of South Shore Seafoods Group 

GT Securities, financial advisor to Phillips Foods, confirmed on Wednesday that the Maryland-based processor and distributor has been awarded the winning bid to acquire the assets of South Shore Seafoods Group of Companies during a Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, or CCAA, restructuring process.

Phillips confirmed earlier this month, prior to Seafood Expo North America, that they were gearing up for expansion into north Atlantic seafood with two projects in Canada. One project involved the acquisition of the Pêcheries Bas-Caraquet Fisheries facility in Bas-Caraquet...

High Liner Foods Finalizes Settlement Agreement With Rubicon

Canadian frozen seafood company High Liner Foods has finalized a settlement agreement in a lawsuit it initiated against Brian Wynn for what the company claims were false representations and warranties in connection to its purchase of Rubicon Resources. 

High Liner first purchased Rubicon — a shrimp exporter and distributor — in 2017 for $107 million. Two years later, High Liner filed a lawsuit against Rubicon and Wynn claiming they made false representations in connection to the sale and that Wynn failed to disclose company issues. 

As per the...

Canada Fisheries Minister Visits U.S. to Promote Sustainable Seafood in Canada

The minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard is visiting the United States. Minister Diane Lebouthillier arrived in New York on March 2 and will spend the next six days in the country, returning back to Canada on March 12. 

“The United States is a trusted friend and ally, as well as our largest fish and seafood trading partner. Over the next few days, I look forward to meeting with American counterparts and stakeholders to deepen that unique relationship, which supports good jobs and drives our...

Captain D's Names Hair Parra to Senior VP of Intl. Operations and Development Amid Global Expansion

Just one week after Captain D’s promoted Nan Ward to COO, the fast casual seafood restaurant has named Hair Parra to the newly created position of senior vice president of international operations and development. 

Parra spent more than 35 years leading international operations for well-known names like Papa Johns, Benihana and Domino's. Parra also oversaw international development for FAT Brands since 2021. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of Wing Zone after spending over...

NL 2024 Lobster Pricing Agreement Released; Find Out What Changed From Last Year

Harvesters and processors in Newfoundland and Labrador may have struggled to come to a pricing formula agreement for snow crab this year, but the same can’t be said for lobster. On April 15, the day of which the binding Collective Agreements are to be in effect for lobster, the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) and Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) Union released their lobster pricing agreement.

This year, the minimum price for lobster will be $3.25CAD for all Urner Barry Price listings up to...

ASP Offers $3 Per Pound To Start Snow Crab Season In NL, But FFAW Doesn’t Bite

Are snow crab harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador ready to hit the water? The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) approached the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) with another offer on Thursday. But FFAW didn’t bite.

Newfoundland and Labrador holds the largest quota in Canada for snow crab, with the total allowable catch (TAC) for this year set at 57,586 tonnes. And despite the season officially opening last Saturday, and harvesters in other regions already reporting landings, NL harvesters have...

Recall Issued In Canada For Mowi Cold Smoked Norwegian Atlantic Salmon

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall on Wednesday for Mowi brand cold smoked Norwegian Atlantic salmon. The products in question were distributed in Ontario from March 27, up to and including April 10. The government agency noted that the product is being recalled because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

Clostridium botulinum can cause some serious health risks, including facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking and...

Snow Crab Standoff Continues; FFAW Promises “We Will Not Fish For Anything Less Than Our Fair Share”

The snow crab season in Newfoundland and Labrador opened five days ago but the entire quota of 57,586 tonnes remains in the water. And the Fish, Food & Allied Workers (FFAW) negotiating committee is resolute: “We will not fish for anything less than our fair share.” 

FFAW President Greg Pretty is now calling on the provincial government to get involved.

The Standing Fish Price Setting Panel met in late March to hear final offers from snow crab harvesters and...

NL Snow Crab Harvesters List Their Demands As Start To Season Delayed Due to Tie Up

The snow crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador officially opened on Saturday but harvesters remained out of the water. And they have a list of demands that they want met before heading out.

Last week the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) Union and Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) submitted their 2024 pricing formulas to the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel for review. The Panel sided with ASP’s pricing formula, which created a minimum price of...

NL Standing Fish Price Setting Panel To Meet Today To Decide 2024 Snow Crab Price

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Standing Fish Price Setting Panel is meeting today to hear final offers from snow crab harvesters and processors.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) confirmed last week that they were unable to come to an agreement with the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) about a market-based pricing formula. The formula was proposed in the Blackwood Report as a way to allow both parties to come up with a fair price for snow crab...

DFO Announces Rules For NARW Temporary and Season-Long Grid Closures Ahead of 2024 Snow Crab Season

The 2024 Canadian snow crab season is set to kick off soon. But before it does, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has released their rules for temporary and season-long grid closures related to North Atlantic right whale (NARW) management.

Management measures were introduced as a way to prevent endangered North Atlantic right whales from deadly ship strikes and gear entanglement. For years the DFO has been announcing temporary and season-long grid closures when the whales are detected...

FFAW, ASP Fail To Agree on Market-Based Pricing Formula For 2024 Snow Crab Season

All eyes will be turning to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Price Setting Panel next week as harvesters and processors were unable to come to an agreement on a market-based pricing formula for the 2024 snow crab season.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) began face-to-face price negotiations in late January. While that may seem early, the hope was that the two parties would be able to come to an agreement ahead of the start...

Newfoundland and Labrador Government Files Injunction Against Fish Harvesters

New year, same old issues between harvesters and producers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fish harvesters have been protesting outside the Confederation Building for over a week now. Demonstrators have been calling for the NL government to allow outside buyers to free up the fishery. And while this call goes beyond just focusing on snow crab, the protests comes as pressure continues to mount between the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) and Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) ahead of the start of the snow crab season. But this week...

Canada’s Elver Fishery Closure Doesn’t Stop Unauthorized Fishing

The elver fishery is closed in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for the 2024 season. But that hasn’t stopped poachers — just as commercial license holders have feared.

On Monday Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) confirmed that since March 6 they have arrested a total of 26 individuals suspected of unauthorized fishing. The arrests occurred in separate incidents across Southwest Nova Scotia. In addition to the arrests, officers also seized six vehicles, seven fyke nets, 59 dip nets, elver fishing equi[ment, one firearm and approximately 6.54 kg of elver...

NL Snow Crab Price Negotiations Hit New Issue As FFAW Negotiator Reportedly Resigns

The opening of the Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab season is just weeks away from kicking off, yet harvesters and processors have yet to come to an agreement on price. In fact, according to new reports that are circulating, FFAW’s negotiator, Jake Rice, has resigned.

Things have been tense between the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) and the Association of Seafood Processors (ASP) for years. But the tension came to a head in 2023 when a failure to agree on the price selected by the...

ANALYSIS: Declining Canadian Lobster Imports to the EU and the UK in 2023

In 2023, imported volumes of Canadian lobster in the EU and the UK dropped to its lowest levels since 2017, when the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU was enforced. According to Global Trade Tracker, imported volumes of live and frozen Homarus Americanus had been varying between 10.0k MT and 12.0k MT between 2018 and 2021, when in 2022, trade-in volumes reached a peak at 12.6k MT (15% up YoY). However, last year imports fell quite severely, by 27.7% at 9,136 MT...

FDA Advises Restaurants, Retailers Not to Sell Certain Mussels From New Foundland, Canada

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell mussels from Allen’s Fisheries in Newfoundland, Canada, due to possible pathogen or biotoxin contamination. 

The impacted mussels were harvested on February 7, 2024 from harvest area AQ # 15 Newfoundland and have a final harvest date of February 18, 2024. The mussels were shipped to distributors in at least seven states, including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania on or around...

FFAW Meets With Minister Davis About Continued Concerns Involving St. Anthony Seafoods

FFAW-Unifor is continuing to butt heads with St. Anthony Seafoods. FFAW President Greg Pretty, as well as other members of the union, met with Minister Bernard Davis earlier this week to express their concerns about labor management at the plant.

Royal Greenland took a controlling interest in St. Anthony Seafoods in September 2020. Since then, FFAW has had issues with the plant, telling Minister Davis this week that the change in operators has led to “excessive hours of work by employees over consecutive days that goes beyond...