$1.3M Settlement Proposed in Mowi Salmon Class Action

Last week, consumers who claimed Mowi Ducktrap salmon products were mislabeled asked a federal judge to approve a $1.3 million nationwide class action settlement.  

If approved, the settlement will provide Class Members a class action rebate of $2.50 for each Mowi Ducktrap salmon product they purchased between March 1, 2017 and a yet-to-be-determined date. Class Members without proof of purchase are limited to 10 total claims, for a $25 rebate.

In addition, the company has agreed to remove the following phrases from Ducktrap salmon packaging and marketing materials: “sustainably sourced,” “all natural,” and “Naturally Smoked Salmon FROM MAINE.” Mowi will be required to abide by these limitations for two years; however, court documents say that it will still be able to indicate that its products are “smoked in Maine.” 

In their motion, the plaintiffs propose a nationwide Class of consumers who ”purchased a Ducktrap Product with packaging that included ‘sustainably sourced,’ ‘all natural,’ and/or ‘from Maine’ during the period beginning March 1, 2017, and ending on the date of entry of the Preliminary Approval Order.” 

Class Members will be notified of the settlement using digital marketing, social media, and consumer websites. In addition, a settlement website where Class Members can submit claims will be developed. 

The lead plaintiffs will receive awards between $1,500 and $7,500, under the proposed settlement. Attorneys’ fees and expenses will amount to $360,000. These amounts will come out of the $1.3 million settlement fund, according to court documents.  

The proposed settlement agreement will still need to be approved by the court and reportedly faces objections over attorney fees. 

Even if this settlement is approved, it may not be the end of mislabeling allegations for Mowi salmon. The company still faces another class action filed on Dec. 31 of last year in Maine federal court. Consumers allege the Mowi uses “unsustainable practices that are environmentally destructive and inhumane.”

Did you purchase Mowi salmon products? If approved, will you take part in this class action settlement? Tell us what you think in the comment section below! 

Neversink General Store and the proposed Class are represented by Jonathan Shub and Kevin Laukaitis of Shub Law Firm LLC along with Gary M. Klinger, Gary E. Mason, and David K. Lietz of Mason Lietz & Klinger LLP. 

The Ducktrap Salmon Class Action Lawsuit is Neversink General Store v. Mowi USA LLC, et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-09293, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Ducktrap’s Sustainably Sourced Salmon Actually From Unsustainable Farming, Class Action Lawsuit Says
• Ducktrap Salmon Is Mislabeled, Class Action Lawsuit Claims
• Do You Qualify: Credit and Debit Card Receipt Privacy Violations Lawsuit Claim Review
• Do You Qualify: Seresto Flea and Tick Collar Class Action Lawsuit Claim Review