Seafood producers in the province will no longer be purchasing crab, or supplying bait and ice past 6pm this evening virtually shutting down the crab industry in the province, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones. Jones broke the news to the Minister of Fisheries earlier today in the House of Assembly who was unaware that such a crisis was only hours away.

Seafood producers and fish harvesters have been in disagreement over the price of crab since the season opened. Yesterday, the fish price setting panel reduced the price for crab to $1.40 per pound. This price is unacceptable to both the harvesters and producers and will likely result in the closure of the crab fishery this evening.

“I am continuously surprised how the Minister of Fisheries is so out of the loop regarding issues in his department,” said Ms. Jones. “When the Official Opposition has to advise him of such a crisis, I really have to question whether he is in tune with what is happening in our fishing industry. Thousands of people could be displaced if there is any extended shut down of the crab sector and the minister and his officials remain oblivious to the situation.”

Jones says the minister should have a plan in place to immediately protect the crab industry from shutting down. With such a strong response from both sides of this debate regarding prices, it is obvious that something must be done to find a more favourable solution to the pricing disagreements.

“Last week in the House of Assembly, we asked the minister whether there were any contingency plans in place should the industry be faced with a shutdown. The Minister stated that government was looking at options and he “was not going to leave anyone high and dry.” It is obvious the time has come for those plans to be unveiled so the thousands of people employed directly and indirectly in the crab fishery have some stability.