Dungeness crab boats strike over prices

A strike by Dungeness crab fishers from Morro Bay to Westport, Washington, dragged on Tuesday with both sides still at loggerheads over the price that’s being offered for their catch.

Miles away from the Northern California/Pacific Northwest Dungeness crab strike, Monterey native Johnny Mercurio told KION that he understands what his fellow fishermen are going through.

“When these northern states open up and the big markets (buyers) want to lower the price, it’s really affecting these guys. They got fuel and bait to deal with and it’s just not panning out,” Mercurio said.

The strike started last week after seafood buyer Pacific Choice Seafood in Humboldt County offered to pay $2.75 per pound for crab. Crabbers whose seasons had already opened had negotiated for $3.00. Prices were not set for all fisheries though because the season opened in waves due to high levels of domoic acid.

But what does this mean for the Central Coast? Tom Hart, president of the Moss Landing Commercial Fishermen’s Association, said “very little” because many local crabbers aren’t selling to the big corporations.

“There are two or three big corporations in the Pacific Northwest that are buying a majority of the product,” said Hart.

“They are buying in volume and it is all coming hundreds of miles away from here.”

The strike is having a greater impact in San Francisco. Fishermen there are still getting $3 per pound but are staying put while the strike continues.

“We won’t have it (crab) to sell, our customers won’t get it, and the restaurants won’t get it. It hurts,” said Gaspar Catanzaro, from the Monterey Fish Company.

Cantazaro said his company will look to buy more crab from local fishermen, who typically get more than $2.75 per pound. Unfortunately, the crabbing season on Monterey Bay has been slow so far.

“It’s not been a jam-packed season for them so far, but they keep hoping it will come in stronger,” Catanzaro said.