Clipper Seafoods, Ltd. announced today the acquisition of three freezer longliner vessels, bringing its fleet to a total of seven. The F/Vs Frontier Spirit, Frontier Mariner and Frontier Explorer, acquired in a stock purchase, will continue to operate in the Alaska cod longline fishery.
“This acquisition of Alaska Frontier Company and its affiliates, which own and operate the Frontier vessels, is an extremely good fit for our company. This gives us a significant increase in production of high-quality Alaska cod” said Dave Little, president of Clipper Seafoods. Little stated that “Clipper is looking forward to working together with all of the Alaska Frontier employees and crew to maintain their traditions of excellence.”
The three 134-foot Frontier vessels, built by Marine Construction & Design Company, will join Clipper’s four freezer longliners. The vessels are all equipped to process and flash-freeze fish on board for maximum freshness.
The catch is sold around the world by Bering Select Seafoods Company, Clipper Seafoods’ marketing subsidiary. The addition of the Frontier fleet significantly boosts the company’s marketing position with Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified Alaska cod.
Paul Gilliland, president of Bering Select, said demand for MSC-certified seafood continues to expand, as consumers become more conscientious about of sustainability.
“There is a growing desire by consumers to know that the seafood they eat is harvested responsibly in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way,”
Gilliland said. ”This acquisition will help us serve the MSC-certified markets, as well as traditional non-MSC markets, with steady supplies of high quality fish.”
Clipper is part of the Freezer Longline Coalition, an alliance of freezer longline companies committed to sustainable fishing practices. The freezer longline sector operating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands is the first cod fishery in the world to obtain MSC certification. Certified fisheries are allowed to use the distinctive blue-and-white MSC label on packaging, letting consumers know that the seafood is from a sustainable, eco-friendly and well-managed fishery.
Seattle-based Clipper Seafoods has operated since 1987 and has about 100 employees. Alaska Frontier Company began in 1989 and has about 70 employees
The purchase was made for an undisclosed price.
