Trump's tariffs are fishing sector's biggest challenge since cod moratorium, minister says

CBC

05-03-2025

Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing industry is preparing for life with heavy economic tariffs in place.
Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne is calling this moment the biggest challenge to the industry since the 1992 cod moratorium.
"Never since the 1992 moratorium has such a challenge been put before us," Byrne told reporters on Tuesday. "While all sectors of the economy are affected by our ally's betrayal, none more so than our fishery."
Ninety-six per cent of snow crab harvested in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2024 was shipped and sold to the United States.
But Byrne says it's unlikely the U.S. market is avoided entirely, and it will likely come down to what markets are willing to pay.
"I have absolutely no doubt that even with a 25 per cent tariff, we can indeed sell to the United States. Buyers will buy, consumers will consume, it's a question of the details," he said. "U.S. consumers love Newfoundland and Labrador's snow crab."
On top of counter-tariffs put in place by the Canadian government, Byrne says Newfoundland and Labrador is also working to help harvesters and processors who could be affected. His department recently put forward nearly $6 million to help people explore market diversification efforts — and other support measures are in the works.
Dwan Street, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union, said the support will be key for the future, should tariffs continue long-term.
"It's not going to be the saviour this year, but moving down the road, these are some of the things we're going to have to start investing in. Our province has got a key role in that," Street said.
WATCH | N.L. fisheries minister talks about industry support amid trade war:
'U.S. consumers love Newfoundland and Labrador's snow crab'
7 hours ago
Duration 3:57
Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries Minister Gerry Byrne says people in the U.S. will still buy the province's snow crab — even with a 25 per cent tariff. The industry is reeling from the onset of punishing U.S. tariffs. But Byrne says N.L. will do what it can to support the fishery.
Street says the situation brings a lot of uncertainty — especially in what appeared to be a recovering market following the post-COVID-19 pandemic years.
Just weeks ahead of the proposed start of the snow crab season, Street said she's confident collective bargaining between the FFAW and Association of Seafood Producers will lead to a fishery with a fair price for all.
"I certainly don't want our members on the harvesting side to think that this is definite doom and gloom and that it's going to mean a terrible price," she said.
"It's going to take a lot of hard negotiating, a lot of hard questions and a lot of cooperation and collaboration across the table from both sides."
Paul Grant, executive vice-president of Beothic Fish Processors and board chair of the ASP, is also confident a snow crab fishery can happen. The two sides will meet with a pricing panel on March 20.
"I don't think the market price will be depressed to the point where we can't economically process or economically harvest," Grant said Tuesday.
However, the tariffs will bring inevitable challenges.
"It's the gift that keeps on giving. It's like not only do we have the 25 per cent tariff, but then all the costs associated with that and logistics of trying to find cold storage space," said Grant.
"The economics of processing and marketing snow crab in particular, and other items, has changed dramatically with this tariff."