Fisheries and Land Resources
February 24, 2017

Building a Strong Aquaculture Industry

Marine Harvest Completes Purchase of Aquaculture Assets

International aquaculture producer Marine Harvest has completed the purchase of aquaculture farming assets previously owned by Gray Aqua Group of Companies in Atlantic Canada. The purchase includes seven farming licences in the province and the Hermitage processing plant.

“Our government recognizes the tremendous potential aquaculture brings to our seafood industry as well as to our province. In The Way Forward we have committed to growing our salmon aquaculture industry to 50,000 tonnes per year and this announcement is a significant step in achieving this goal. We look forward to working with Marine Harvest as they start the process to establishing operations in our province.”
- The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

The Marine Harvest purchase also includes 17 site applications throughout the province which are currently under provincial review. Other assets acquired include one hatchery and two farming licences in New Brunswick.

This announcement aligns with The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, available online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf. PDF File The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.

QUICK FACTS

  • International aquaculture producer Marine Harvest has completed the purchase of the assets of the Gray Aqua Group of Companies in Atlantic Canada, including seven farming licences in the province and the Hermitage processing plant.
  • The Marine Harvest investment also includes 17 site applications throughout the province. Other assets acquired include one hatchery and two farming licences in New Brunswick.
  • Marine Harvest employs 11,700 people and is represented in 24 countries. The company provides farmed salmon and processed seafood to more than 70 markets worldwide. In 2015, Marine Harvest produced 420,000 tonnes of salmon.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
709-729-3733, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2017 02 24                              4:05 p.m.