SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Snow Crab Industry

Honourable senators, I rise today to tell you about a resource that many of you here are not familiar with, even though it is essential to the economy of many coastal communities. I’m talking about the snow crab, the fishing season for which starts in a few days.

Although snow crab is popular with connoisseurs, commercial fishing for this abundant crustacean really only began in the 1950s and 1960s. At the time, it was a small fishery that often complemented other more traditional fisheries, such as cod.

However, with the major collapse of cod stocks in the early 1990s and the expansion of the market, the snow crab industry experienced significant growth. In 2023, which was a banner year, the estimated value of landings was between $800 million and $1 billion, or 17% of all fish and crustacean landings.

For many Gulf of St. Lawrence regions, such as Cape Breton, the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, Quebec’s North Shore and Newfoundland and Labrador, the snow crab fishery has become a true lifeline and the heart of economic activity. I cannot imagine what would happen to my village of Chéticamp or to Pleasant Bay and Neil’s Harbour if this fishery were to one day collapse like the cod fishery did.

However, this resource remains fragile and is particularly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, including warming waters and changes in marine ecosystems. Stock fluctuations over the years remind us of the need for sound management based on science, as well as close collaboration among fishers, scientists and governments. In 2024 and 2025, there was a significant drop in quotas and volumes in several areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as a result of which the total value of landings is now declining.

It is always a great pleasure for me to visit the wharves in my region to observe the crab landings and to bring this precious commodity home to enjoy it. It reminds me of growing up and spending time with family and friends as we enjoyed snow crab.

I encourage you to pay special attention to this industry, its development and the challenges it’s facing. We must look beyond the figures and realize that the future of entire communities is closely linked to the health of this resource. To those of you who have the opportunity to taste snow crab, perhaps as early as April 1, I say bon appétit.

Thank you.