VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 11, 2021 — The federal government is changing the way they interpret a regulation that has been in place for over 40 years, making it impossible for fish harvesters to sell frozen-at-sea spot prawn tails to a local, domestic market. The commercial spot prawn industry, as a whole, is a sustainable fishery, bringing $45 million into British Columbia’s economy each year. With no consultation, and only a few months’ notice, this regulation change has effectively cut off the market for local BC prawn tails. DFO’s decision, in the middle of the pandemic, is adding more strife to fish harvesters, who are already facing huge market challenges. Wholesale prices for prawns have dropped more than 50% since ...
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