Fisheries and Aquaculture
July 30, 2014
Supporting Economic Development by Investing in Technology
Codroy Seafoods Receives $100,000 to Enhance Lobster Operations
A new cooling system supported by the Provincial Government’s Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program will help Codroy Seafoods increase its lobster processing activities, maintain the quality of its seafood, and provide better service to domestic and international markets. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $100,000 today for the new equipment which will enhance the company’s holding tanks so that they can hold more live lobsters for a longer period of time.
“With this investment of $100,000, the Provincial Government is helping Codroy Seafoods expand its capacity to purchase and hold the premium quality lobster caught off our shores. This will result in more product being purchased from harvesters, more hours of work for plant employees, greater availability of lobster to local buyers, and increased economic activity for communities in the region.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Codroy Seafoods began its successful venture into lobster processing in 2010 and has since gained an international customer base. By increasing the company’s capacity to hold product, Codroy Seafoods will be in a better position to manage the large volume of lobster that comes in over the course of the province’s relatively short season, and provide live product to consumers after the season traditionally closes in late June or early July. Being able to hold product longer will also help the company avoid having to sell its product when the greatest volume of lobster is placed on the market, which is expected to help the company achieve better prices.
“This new equipment will help Codroy Seafoods pursue increased sales around the world and provide better service to local consumers so they do not have to rely as much on product shipped in from the Maritimes during the off-season. This means great things for the harvesters we buy from and our workforce of more than 70 employees at our plant. I thank the Provincial Government for its support and look forward to installing the new cooling system this year.”
- John Osmond, Owner, Codroy Seafoods
The project will involve the installation of the cooling equipment and associated plumbing work as well as other labour, all of which will generate further economic benefits in the region.
QUICK FACTS
- Minister Keith Hutchings announced $100,000 today to support Codroy Seafood’s installation and purchase of a new cooling system for its lobster holding facility.
- In addition to lobster, Codroy Seafoods also produces products from other shellfish, and from groundfish and other species.
- More than 2,200 tonnes of lobster was landed by provincial harvesters in 2013 which generated approximately $17 million in production value.
- Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes $4 million for the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to support projects aimed at enhancing the harvesting, processing and marketing of provincial seafood.
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Media contacts: Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca | John Osmond Owner Codroy Seafoods 709-955-2382 codroyseafoods@gmail.com |
2014 07 30 10:40 a.m.