Thanks, in-part, to the COVID-19 virus, the lucrative Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishery continues to find itself in limbo.
The season, which normally opens the first week of April, could be delayed for several more weeks or even longer.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently advised that while the management plan for the 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishery has not been finalized, the fishery will not open before April 20, 2020.
“A decision on the 2020 management approach is expected in the near future and once finalized the details will be communicated broadly.”
The union representing fish harvesters in N.L. has been holding regular conference calls with its members to discuss the impacts of COVID-19. The FFAW-Unifor said, as a result of an April 3 membership call, it does not want the crab season to open until at least May 1.
“The Inshore Council held a conference call today to discuss the COVID-19 situation and its impact on the fishery. The Council passed the following resolution regarding the inshore fishery: Be it resolved that the FFAW’s Inshore Council recommend all inshore fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador be postponed until at least May 1 and until steps can be taken to protect the health, safety and security of inshore harvesters and plant workers in light of the COVID-19 crisis. This date will be reviewed two weeks in advance of May 1. Be it further resolved that the FFAW call on the federal government to provide financial support for inshore fish harvesters to compensate for the devastating impact COVID-19 will have on the 2020 fishing season.”
The union is accusing fish processing companies of rushing the opening of inshore fisheries in the province, despite serious concerns from workers that measures are not in place to ensure fishing vessels and processing plants can operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) cancelled a meeting with fish harvesters at the last minute on April 2 and subsequently issued a media release calling for an opening to the crab fishery on April 20, despite the serious risks to health and opposition from harvesters and plant workers. The ASP does not dictate when or if the fishery will open on April 20. It’s abundantly clear that these processing companies are putting profits ahead of people and are no longer interested in collaborating with fish harvesters and plant workers on best practices and protocols that must be in place before the fishery begins,” says Keith Sullivan, FFAW-Unifor President.
The union stated that Newfoundland and Labrador has the oldest population in Canada and the average age of fishery workers is older than the average age of the province.
“Most harvesters and plant workers are over 50 and a good number are in their 60s and 70s. As public health officials have made abundantly clear, COVID-19 is particularly harmful to older people, which is why harvesters and plant workers are demanding that companies prioritize and respect their health and the health of their families. Plant workers, for snow crab in particular, suffer from high rates of respiratory illness that puts them at a greater risk and in an extremely vulnerable position if exposed to COVID-19.”
“The vast majority of harvesters are prioritizing safety over the profits of processing companies. The worst of this pandemic is yet to come. We will not recommend an opening to the fishery if our members are at risk,” concludes Sullivan.
For the third year in succession, scientists at DFO are painting a somewhat bright, yet cautious, picture for snow crab stocks off Newfoundland and Labrador.
At the 2020 annual snow crab technical meeting, DFO reported that despite some stock increases, the overall exploitable biomass remained near historic lows in 2019, but noted that there are some positive signs for future recruitment.
Last season, in the wake of protests and a public outcry over rumours of a possible 30 per cent quota reduction, or higher, the 2019 Newfoundland snow crab fishery only received a nine per cent overall cut after all.
The total allowable catch (TAC) for the Newfoundland and Labrador Region in 2019 was set at 26,894 tonnes, an overall quota level decrease of nine per cent from 2018 (29,390 tonnes).
This was the smallest decrease in Newfoundland crab quotas since 2015, when the quota was over 50,000 tonnes.
In addition to the snow crab fishery, the decision was also made earlier by the union to postpone the herring and halibut fisheries due to the same concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the safety of fish harvesters, plant workers and all those in between, including dockside monitors and transportation providers.
“There have been significant conversations taking place throughout Eastern Canada regarding lobster. Some maritime LFAs have already received delays and several others are considering such adjustments,” the FFAW stated.
In fact, according to CBC, DFO accepted a request to delay the start of the lobster season in areas 36 and 37 of southern New Brunswick due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
The request was sent by the Fundy North Fishermen’s Association and the delay will push the start of the fishery from March 31 to April 30.
