B.C. crab industry shell-shocked amid punishing Chinese tariffs

Crab fishermen in B.C. are watching their profits shrink as Chinese tariffs hit the industry.

A retaliatory tariff imposed on Canada by China earlier this year is crippling B.C.’s crab industry – to the tune of millions of dollars a month.

According to the B.C. Crab Fishermen’s Association (BCCFA), the 25 per cent tariff on seafood products has dropped dungeness crab exports by 60 per cent compared to 2024.

The group says the industry relies on the Asian country for 90 per cent of its business, and profits fell to $4.96 million in June, down from $11.89 million in the same month last year.

“This export value is on par with that from February and March 2020, suggesting that the impact of tariffs may be similar to that of the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads a letter from BCCFA to the minister of fisheries.

“Prior to the tariffs, the value of crab exports to China for January 2025 was the highest single month to date.”

The group says this trade action has destabilized the sector, slashing ex-vessel prices by nearly half and placing immense economic strain on harvesters, families and coastal communities that depend on this fishery.

According to the letter, harvesters are seeing prices roughly half what they were last year, and in some areas fishermen are choosing to stay home rather than operate at a loss.

Second-generation B.C. crab fishermen Jason Voong is urging the government for support.

He explained that in Tofino, people are going out once every week or two instead of multiple times a week.

“There’s no one at the harbour these days,” said Voong.

“I hauled twice in July. We were seeing prices of $7 per lb. for six weeks, where last year we were at $11.50 or more. That extra few dollars is where our profit lies.”

In a statement to CTV News, Fisheries and Oceans Canada wrote: “The government of Canada will always defend the interests of Canadians and stand up for our businesses and workers facing unfair trade policies and practices.”

The federal department went on to acknowledge the concerns, and said it is working closely with industry stakeholders to reduce the current impacts.

“Canada remains open to continuing pragmatic constructive dialogue with China to address Canada’s interest in fully restoring market access for Canadian agricultural, fish and seafood products in a timely manner,” wrote Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

University of British Columbia political science professor Stewart Prest has been following the tariffs’ global impact, sand said this seafood levy is due to Canada’s tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles last year.

There have been recent calls from Sask. Premier Scott Moe to the federal government to drop the tariffs to protect canola farmers impacted by agricultural Chinese tariffs as well, Prest said.

“Given Canada’s difficult situation, its position internationally, I think we are going to have to look for ways to build out trading relationships wherever we can,” he added.

“Even if it means finding ways to work with a state with which we have had challenges in the past.”