Sustainable Fishery/Sustainable Community

Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canada produce much more seafood than we can consume, which means we rely on world markets. Those markets want high-quality, sustainable products year-round. Arnold’s Cove is a great example of a balanced approach to the fishery, utilizing catches from all fleets to enable a year-round operation. The result is 200 local employees, access to new global markets and higher pricing for harvesters. By focusing on sustainability of the resource and the industry, Icewater Seafoods is contributing to the sustainability of the community and the region. This balanced approach provides opportunities for communities throughout the province to benefit from a stable, long-term fishery.

The Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council, or GEAC, is the Atlantic Canadian organization that represents the year-round groundfish industry. Most of its members are family-owned, vertically integrated companies, so their businesses are embedded in all sectors of the fishery. They hold licenses in the offshore, as well as purchase and process seafood from seasonal and year-round harvesters. They’re also marketing and selling Newfoundland and Labrador seafood in global markets, including premium European and Asian markets.

Presenting at the MNL Conference to talk about the importance of A Balanced and Integrated Fishery for Sustainable Communities, is representatives from two of NL’s key players in the groundfish industry. Alberto Wareham, President & CEO of Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove and Martin Sullivan, CEO of Ocean Choice International. Two family-owned, 100% local companies with a vision for the future of the fishery, and its communities, in NL.  Both companies are part of the GEAC, which is committed to a balanced and sustainable groundfish industry.