Canada: Capelin harvesters in N.L. threaten to not fish, union seeks fair share

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Capelin harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador are threatening to not fish after the recent decisions made by the price-setting panel for this year’s capelin fishery. The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) said the offer made by the panel doesn’t offer fair value distribution of profits to its members and processors. The union alleges the processors are being paid $0.95 per pound to process capelin and earn $0.25 per pound, whereas harvesters were paid an average of $0.175 capelin per pound. The disparity, the union claims, has led to processors earning $6.9 million compared to the harvesters' $4.8 million. "We need to guarantee that at least half the value of the fishery remains with the workers in Newfoundland and Labrador,” stated union president Greg Pretty. The harvesters have submitted a new offer to the Association of Seafood Processors (ASP), for a formula-based system for a fair split while accounting for production costs. The offer ...