After a somewhat dismal, COVID-19 impacted 2020 snow crab season, Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters have several reasons to feel good about their prospects in 2021.
The first bit of good news for N.L. crab fishermen came on March 29 when the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) released the management plan for the 2021 snow crab fishery, which included a significant increase of 29 per cent in overall quotas.
The second positive news of note came on March 31 when the N.L. Standing Fish Price Setting Panel sided with the FFAW-Unifor’s crab price proposal of $5.73/pound. The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), representing the processors, had proposed a price of $5.25/pound.
This is a considerable increase from last year’s original price of $2.90/pound and the later, adjusted price of $3.50/pound.
The third positive was that the 2021 season started on time, with no ice-related issues, industry disputes or pandemic concerns that have caused delays in the past.
This year marks the second consecutive year with a snow crab quota increase. Last year, the total allowable catch (TAC) for the N.L. region was set at 29,551 tonnes, an overall quota level increase of 10 per cent from 2019.
This year, the 2021 snow crab fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador will have a total allowable catch (TAC) of 38,186 tonnes. This management decision represents an overall quota increase of approximately 29 per cent from 2020.
The specific increases and decreases, vary by snow crab area, specifically:
- Snow crab area 3Ps – 53 per cent increase
- Snow crab area 4R3Pn – 35 per cent increase
- Snow crab area 3LNO – 34 per cent increase
- Snow crab area 3K – 16 per cent increase
- Snow crab area 2HJ – 20 per cent decrease
DFO said the recent assessment found that there were increases in exploitable biomass index in all snow crab divisions, with the exception of 2HJ. The stock assessment of snow crab in area 2HJ, off the coast of Labrador, found persistently high fishing pressure, low residual biomass, declines in males at size of maturity and declines in mature female abundance. For these reasons, the total allowable catch in this area was being reduced by 20 per cent.
Along with the substantial price increase, the FFAW-Unifor also welcomed the management plan for the 2021 snow crab fishery.
“We are very pleased with the management plan for 2021. Harvesters have taken significant cuts in the past to ensure a healthy fishery and, overall, the management plan for the 2021 snow crab fishery shows that DFO is listening to the concerns raised by harvesters,” said FFAW-Unifor President Keith Sullivan.
“There are good signs of young crab coming into the fishery for most areas in the next two to four years,” said Tony Doyle, vice-president of the FFAW’s Inshore Council and a member of the crab committee.
“It looks like we are on a trend to better quotas and fishing for the next few years.”
“This management plan is proof that by science and lived experience working together, we can get results and build a sustainable fishery that works for harvesters, plant workers and their communities,” added Sullivan.
