Ocean Choice International has sold its offshore Nova Scotia scallop quotas to three Nova Scotia companies with a long history harvesting sea scallops off the coast of Nova Scotia – Mersey Seafoods Limited, LaHave Seafoods Limited and Comeau’s Sea Foods Limited.
‘We are committed to sustainably growing our place in the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador; and this decision supports our investment and growth in our business and the fishing industry here at home,’ said Ocean Choice CEO Martin Sullivan.
‘Selling our scallop quotas consolidates our operations to Newfoundland and Labrador, our home province, reinforcing our commitment to the people and communities who rely on the fishery for employment and economic opportunities.’
As part of the agreement, Ocean Choice is also acquiring Newfoundland and Labrador offshore quota for Greenland halibut and northern cod from Mersey, and Greenland halibut, northern cod and redfish from LaHave, further strengthening the company’s Newfoundland- and Labrador-based business.
LaHave acquires Ocean Choice’s Nova Scotia offshore quota for pollock, haddock, and flounder as well as the company’s assets in Riverport, Nova Scotia.
Ocean Choice states that the sale of the scallop quotas strengthens its operations and positions the company favourably for future growth and continued investment in its Newfoundland and Labrador operations and that in 2024 and beyond, it will be strategically investing in its local processing facilities and offshore fishing vessels.
Ocean Choice has an extensive sales and marketing presence in key scallop markets and has built long-standing relationships with customers in these markets. To ensure continuity of supply for Ocean Choice’s customers, a sales and marketing agreement has also been reached with Mersey Seafoods that will see Ocean Choice continue to sell Canadian sea scallops to its well-established global customer base.
‘As we move into 2024, we are focused on strengthening our business by strategically investing in our operations at home to ensure we continue to have a strong presence globally. It also makes sense for all parties involved that Ocean Choice continues to sell scallops. We are deep in the market and have excellent relationships with major retail, foodservice and industrial customers,’ said Ocean Choice president Blaine Sullivan, President commenting that Ocean Choice has valued its business in the scallop sector in Nova Scotia, and for this reason it was extremely important to find the right buyers for our quotas.
‘We are confident that Mersey, LaHave and Comeau’s – all of which are family-owned businesses – will continue to be good stewards of the scallop resource and that the future of the scallop fishing sector is in good hands,’ Martin Sullivan stated.
