Salmon direct purchaser $85M price-fixing class action settlement

Salmon manufacturers agreed to a $85 million direct purchaser class action settlement to resolve claims salmon products were overpriced due to price fixing.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased farm-raised Atlantic salmon products from various defendants between April 10, 2013, and May 26, 2022. Defendants covered by the settlement are:

• Mowi (formerly known as Marine Harvest)
• Mowi Ducktrap (also known as Ducktrap River of Maine)
• Greig Seafood (formerly known as Ocean Quality)
• Sjór AS
• SalMar
• Lerøy Seafood
• Cermaq

The Norwegian companies listed above are massive producers and distributors of farm-raised salmon products. Direct purchasers for these companies could include fish markets, restaurants and other companies that purchased salmon products directly from manufacturers.

According to a class action lawsuit against the defendants, salmon producers violated federal law with a price-fixing scheme. As a part of the plan, the defendants allegedly agreed to work together to raise the price of salmon products.

The salmon market is especially vulnerable to manipulation by Norwegian salmon companies since these producers set the benchmark for global salmon prices, the price-fixing class action lawsuit explains. As a result, the scheme allegedly had far-reaching effects on the salmon market.

The plaintiffs maintain direct purchasers such as themselves were tricked into overpaying for salmon products from the defendants. In a healthy, competitive market, direct purchasers would have allegedly been able to purchase the same products for a lower price.

After the plaintiffs survived a motion to dismiss, the defendants agreed to resolve the allegations against them with an $85 million settlement.

Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members can recover a cash payment. Payments will vary depending on the number of claims filed with the settlement and the amount of commerce claimed in total. 

Each class member will receive a proportional share of the settlement based on the amount of eligible product they purchased. 

After initial distributions, any unclaimed funds will be used for either a second round of payments or a cy pres donation to another organization. No funds will be retained by the defendants.

The deadline for exclusion and objection in the settlement is July 11, 2022. 

The salmon settlement final approval hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2022. Class Members who wish to speak at the fairness hearing must submit a notice to the court by July 11, 2022.

In order to receive a cash payment from the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Sept. 23, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased farm-raised Atlantic salmon products from various defendants between April 10, 2013, and May 26, 2022. Defendants covered by the settlement are:

• Mowi (formerly known as Marine Harvest)
• Mowi Ducktrap (also known as Ducktrap River of Maine)
• Greig Seafood (formerly known as Ocean Quality)
• Sjór AS
• SalMar
• Lerøy Seafood
• Cermaq

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Provide supporting documentation such as receipts, invoices, or other payment documents naming the payee and payor.

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

09/23/2022

Case Name

In Re: Farm-Raised Salmon and Salmon Products Antitrust Litigation, Master File No. 19-21551-CV-ALTONAGA, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Final Hearing

09/08/2022

Settlement Website

SalmonDirectPurchaserSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Salmon Direct Purchaser Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
P.O. Box 91447
Seattle, WA 98111
info@SalmonDirectPurchaserSettlement.com
877-540-1084

Class Counsel

Peter Prieto
PODHURST ORSECK PA

Christopher L. Lebsock
HAUSFELD LLP

Defense Counsel

Britt M. Miller
MAYER BROWN LLP

Eric Mahr
FRESHFIELDS BRUCKHAUS DERINGER US LLP

D. Bruce Hoffman
CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP

Matthew M. Martino
SKADDEN ARPS SLATE MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

Stephen Neuwirth
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP

Ryan W. Marth
ROBINS KAPLAN LLP