Trials and Tribulations of Newfoundland's Crab Fishery

By Jim Wellman

It's a never ending saga.

Almost every spring Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishermen are squaring off against processors or government over something. In the past few years there have been conflicts over prices and a prolonged tie up in 2005 when the provincial government implemented a program of resource sharing called Raw Material Sharing (RMS).

Ironically, the government's intention was to try and find a way to end the constant threat of a spring confrontation in the crab fishery that has often delayed the opening of the season, the time of year when crab is at its peak quality. Instead, many fishermen saw the plan as favouring the processors and working against them. Much of the prime part of the season was lost.

New Brunswick Lobster Looking Bleak

ByJim Wellman

New Brunswick lobster fishermen are also facing a tough lobster season. Mother's day prices were low, and concerns about stocks in the Gulf and the Bay of Fundy continue to worry government and fishermen alike.

According to the Maritime Fishermen's Union, the stability of the fishery is on shaky grounds.

As with other provinces, the high exchange rates and fuel costs have tanked the market value for lobster to less than $5.00 per pound, while the seasonal average has been roughly $7.00 in the past several years according to the Maritime Fishermen's Union.