Port au Choix Shrimp Plant Changes Hands
Economic hardship and a severe reduction in shrimp landings have forced Ocean Choice International (OCI) to consolidate its holdings and sell off a shrimp processing plant in Port au Choix, Newfoundland and Labrador to Barry Group Inc.
“The last three years have been very difficult in the shrimp business, and it hasn’t been economically viable,” said Martin Sullivan, CEO and Co-Chair of OCI. “The business has seen such a big decline in raw material volumes over the last number of ...
Union Lobbies for Support for Harvesters and Plant Workers
The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) claims the effects of COVID-19 were slow to hit the fishing industry and is calling for the Canadian government to give harvesters and fish plant workers financial support after the difficulties of the 2023 season.
“We represent people that bring in the new dollars to our province,” said FFAW Secretary-Treasurer Jason Spingle.
“We’ve said it before and rightfully so, there’s been primary industries like farming or the automobile ...
Quin-Sea and Clearwater Announce St. Anthony Joint Venture Approval
Quin-Sea Fisheries Ltd., a division of Royal Greenland, and Clearwater Seafoods recently announced the application to transfer the processing license for a St. Anthony fish plant has now been approved by the Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
This allows the companies to move forward with the deal, in which Quin-Sea Fisheries Ltd. will assume management responsibility for the plant on behalf of the new joint venture, St. Anthony Seafoods Ltd.
“The ...
On the Waterfront – October 2017
Marine Institute Receives Funding for Eelgrass Restoration
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard recently announced that the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $4.7 million over five years for a project to help restore eelgrass ecosystems in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
The Marine Institute is the first group in Newfoundland and Labrador to receive project funding through the fund.
The ...
Clearwater Increases Investment in Arctic Surf Clam Fishery
Ian Smith, CEO of Clearwater Seafoods Inc. recently announced more than $5 million in new investments in Clearwater’s Arctic surf clam fishery.
The investments in Glace Bay, N.S. and Grand Bank, N.L. will add new jobs, processing capacity and spur continued sustainable growth of the fishery.
“Today’s investment is good news for local jobs, domestic seafood processing capacity and those looking for the very finest wild-caught surf clams from Atlantic Canada,” Smith said.
“With ...
Up From the Ashes: Bay de Verde Plant Set to Re-Open This Spring
When overlooking the new modern fish plant adjacent to Bay de Verde harbour, it is hard to believe what transpired in the Northern Avalon Peninsula community nearly a year ago.
An April 11 fire totally destroyed the Quinlan Brothers Ltd. seafood processing plant, devastating the community and impacting the employment of about 700 workers.
Vice-President of Quinlan Brothers, Robin Quinlan, recently told CBC that plant construction is coming along well and the company is hoping to be up ...
Clearwater Increases Investment Arctic Surf Clam Fishery
Ian Smith, CEO of Clearwater Seafoods Inc. today announced more than $5 million in new investments in Clearwater's market-leading Arctic surf clam fishery.
The investments in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and Grand Bank, Newfoundland will add new jobs, processing capacity and spur continued sustainable growth of the fishery.
“Today's investment is good news for local jobs, domestic seafood processing capacity and those looking for the very finest wild-caught surf clams from Atlantic Canada,” ...
On the Waterfront – February 2017
‘Gentle Giant’ Jim Buchanan Dies in Fishing Accident
The Cape Sable Island-Shelburne area of southwestern Nova Scotia has seen more than its fair share of ocean related deaths.
Over the Christmas holiday, a huge Yuletide tree made of lobster pots was erected in the Cape Sable Island area. The ornaments were old time lobster buoys, the ones used before balloons and anchors tethered strings of 15 traps.
Each ornament represented a fisherman lost at sea from the area.
There were way ...
On the Waterfront — September 2016
OCT Transfers Port Union Plant to Town
The shuttered Ocean Choice International (OCI) fish plant in Port Union, Newfoundland has been handed over to the Municipality of Trinity Bay North.
The plant was closed in 2010 after being severely damaged by Hurricane Igor. At peak capacity, the plant employed more than 170 workers.
OCI said after six years without finding a way to reopen the plant, the company decided to transfer the plant over to the municipality at no cost. The company added ...
New Life for Bay de Verde
Plant Reconstruction Underway and Fisheries Infrastructure Improvements Coming
What a difference a few months can make.
The mood in the northern Avalon Peninsula community of Bay de Verde has gone from devastation to one of jubilation and hope.
An April 11 fire totally destroyed the Quinlan Brothers Ltd. seafood processing plant in Bay de Verde, devastating the community, impacting the employment of about 700 workers.
But recent announcements by the company and the federal government ...
