2017 marks the tenth anniversary of TriNav Fisheries Consultants Inc. (TFC). TFC was established in 2007 to provide Fisheries Consulting services to the TriNav Group of Companies client base specifically designed to bridge gaps and support the different components of the fishing industry through business and economic consulting. Over the past decade, TFC has grown to include a staff of seven, with a presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. TFC prides itself on having a diverse team who are passionate about the fishing industry. The TFC staff are diverse in knowledge and expertise, with backgrounds in economics, marine biology, seafood production, management, and policy development. This assorted experience allows TFC to effectively help its clients deal with the ever-changing fishing industry.
TFC’s clients include individual harvesters, multi-national corporations, government agencies, seafood processors, Aboriginal groups, fisheries organizations, the aquaculture industry, financial institutions and a wide variety of others throughout Atlantic and Northern Canada, the United States, and internationally.
Throughout the past ten years, TFC has expanded its services to include license and enterprise appraisals, business plans, feasibility studies, policy advisory services, seafood brokerage, efficiency analyses, marketing, resource outlooks and general fisheries consulting.
TFC has been increasingly involved in supporting the growth of communities in Nunavut. Their projects have included development and expansion of fishery operations, scientific research, training initiatives, strategic planning and helping increase food security. TFC’s ongoing work in Nunavut has helped make a positive impact on many of the communities.
Since 2008, TFC has appraised over 200 fishing licenses and allocations. These valuations have included all major commercial species and many — if not most — of the minor commercial species in Atlantic Canada, as well as the eastern United States and South America. The cumulative total value of these fishing assets is more than $1.75 billion. Exclusive to TFC is that it provides a comprehensive appraisal report, not simply a valuation — considering the management, resource and market for each species that the client has access to. By using this approach, TFC provides its clients with thorough analyses of their fisheries assets, giving a comprehensive, detailed appraisal appropriate for legal and financial use, which is second to none in the industry.
TFC has partnered with other TriNav companies to expand its expertise and provide a full service to its clients. For instance, TFC was involved in the development of a comprehensive energy efficiency audit program for fishing vessels. To date, numerous vessels have been surveyed to determine modifications that could be made to help operators reduce their fuel consumption and lowering operating costs. TFC was also involved in the management of the design of a research vessel for the Government of Nunavut.
TFC is also active in helping Aboriginal communities and organizations develop and expand their fishing operations. Its projects have included assessing the feasibility of an integrated seafood company among the First Nations in the Maritimes, development of a First Nation seafood brand, providing strategic advice and helping ensure that the maximum benefits are derived from their fisheries access.
TFC has assisted countless harvesters enter the fishery, grow their operations and expand and improve their business. With the development of business plans and other documentation, TFC has helped harvesters and processors source funding from private and government organizations.
TFC’s team members have extensive experience working in the processing industry and have been called upon to assess plant operations, appraise processing equipment and provide recommendations on potential expansions and investments. Some of these projects have involved trips offshore to observe at-sea processing operations.
Through the past decade TFC has emerged as the go-to expert for fisheries, business and economic consulting needs. With an ever-increasing list of diverse clients and projects, TFC is forging ahead and looks forward to the next 10 years of offering its service to the industry.
