Salmon antitrust indirect purchasers $33M class action settlement

UPDATE:

• A judge granted final approval to this settlement Feb. 27, 2023.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Several salmon farms agreed to pay a combined $33 million class action settlement to resolve claims they worked together to raise the price of salmon products.

The settlement benefits consumers who indirectly purchased farm-raised salmon or salmon products in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin between April 10, 2013, and Nov. 17, 2022.

According to a class action lawsuit against Mowi Ducktrap, Grieg Seafood, Sjór, SalMar, Lerøy Seafood and Cermaq, the companies conspired together to raise and fix the price of farm-raised salmon. Specifically, the salmon producers allegedly engineered a new price index they then manipulated to create artificially high spot prices for Atlantic salmon.

“Through their manipulation of spot market prices, Defendants artificially stabilized prices even when Russia banned the importation of Norwegian salmon in 2014, and then subsequently increased prices, leading to record profits for Defendants,” the salmon antitrust class action lawsuit contends.

As a result of the alleged scheme, both indirect and direct purchasers allegedly paid more for farm-raised salmon and related products than they would have in a competitive market. Plaintiffs in the case claim that the defendants have been investigated by both American and European regulators for the antitrust agreement.

The defendants haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $33 million class action settlement to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the salmon class action settlement, class members can receive a payment based on the amount they paid for covered products during the class period. 

Class members who paid a larger sum for these products will receive a larger pro rata share of the net settlement fund. Exact payments will vary. No payment estimates are available at this time.

If money remains in the salmon settlement fund following the first round of payments, a second round of proportional payments may be distributed to class members who cash their first check. If the funds do not warrant a second distribution, the money may be donated to a charitable recipient approved by the court. 

The deadline for exclusion is Jan. 13, 2023. The deadline for objections is Jan. 26, 2023. 

The final approval hearing for the salmon settlement is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 17, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who indirectly purchased farm-raised salmon or salmon products in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin between April 10, 2013, and Nov. 17, 2022.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

The administrator may require invoices and/or other documentation.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

02/17/2023

Case Name

Final Hearing

02/24/2023

Settlement Website

SalmonIndirectPurchaserSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Wood Mountain Fish v. Mowi ASA Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 301132
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132
info@SalmonIndirectPurchaserSettlement.com
844-776-0179

Class Counsel

Defense Counsel