La Scie fisherman Terry Ryan expects up to $1.55/lb in Nova Scotia for third load of shrimp
That $1.55/lb is a hell of a lot better than the 90¢/lb “binding” price paid to the inshore fleet here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 25¢/lb more than Ryan got for his first trip of northern shrimp across the Gulf earlier this month. He says his only other cost was the fuel it took for the extra return steam to the mainland.
Terry Ryan (right) and son Josh (skipper) operate the Atlantic Bluefin Too out of La Scie on Newfoundland's northeast coast.
Most of the province's inshore shrimp fleet in the Gulf, and off Newfoundland's northeast coast and southern Labrador has yet to untie this season.
Inshore boats won't fish for the incredibly low 90¢/lb summer price of shrimp, which was set by the province's price-setting panel on June 27th, while processors wouldn't buy for the $1.42/lb spring price set by the panel on April 24th.
The panel warned the most recent 90¢/lb price "may not result in a fishery."
This SEA-NL blog post from Wednesday sums up the situation: 2022 inshore shrimp fishery Canadian embarrassment/Newfie joke; province must act
Ryan's 65-footer is equipped with a tray system for storing shrimp, which results in better quality product than the bags used by most of the fleet.
The owner-operators of other boats who have been offered $1.30/lb across the Gulf for their shrimp say the extra steam isn't worth it, even though Ryan has been paid progressively more each trip.
In its most recent decision on the summer shrimp price, the price-setting panel noted that certain deductions which are paid in Newfoundland and Labrador, but not in the Maritimes would cut into the profit from a steam across the Gulf.
At the same time, the panel noted it's not clear whether restrictive polices in this province like trip limits and fishing schedules might result in at least a partial offset of costs.
In the latest from the FFAW, the union accused Royal Greenland in Quebec of paying Quebec fishermen $1.38/lb for shrimp caught in Newfoundland and Labrador waters (48¢/lb more than what owner-operators are offered here).
The union also says Royal Greenland has been paying even more for lesser grade, twice-frozen offshore industrial shrimp for processing at the company's plant in St. Anthony.
That's all well and good, but how anyone could think the FFAW can achieve the best possible price for the inshore fleet when the union also represents workers at shrimp plants like Port aux Choix, is beyond me.
The union says the provincial government "must act", with no more specifics than that.
Derek Bragg, the Fisheries Minister, might think that to mean a stage performance.
Ryan Cleary,
Executive Director, SEA-NL
To read more about SEA-NL, or to join the non-profit organization please visit sea-nl.ca