Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada-headquartered Clearwater Seafoods on September 14 announced an investment of $350,000 in a 25-person prime cut line to expand clam processing at its Grand Bank Seafoods division in Newfoundland and Labrador. The plant, based in the town of Grand Bank, produces Arctic Surf, Northern Propeller and Cockle Clams.
Clearwater acquired the Arctic Surf Clam operation in 1991. Since then the company has invested heavily to develop the international market for the product, which is distributed in frozen form, and build a customer base for the wild, sustainably-harvested resource.
Demand for Clearwater’s clam species continues to increase in high-value sushi and sashimi markets throughout the USA, Europe and Asia. “The success of our clam business over the past 25 years has laid the foundation for a prosperous future with Grand Bank Seafoods,” said Ian Smith, chief executive officer of Clearwater Seafoods. “Grand Bank will continue to play a key role in Clearwater leading and executing with excellence in today’s global clam marketplace.”
As one of the only year-round seafood processing facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Grand Bank Seafoods positively impacts the provincial and Atlantic Canada economies.
The company’s clam operation currently accounts for 258 jobs for fishermen working in its fleet of offshore clam vessels; 115 jobs in the Grand Bank area for plant employees; and $70 million in payroll and direct economic benefits to the region.
“Clearwater is a proud long-standing employer in one of Newfoundland’s most vibrant and industrious outport communities,” said CEO Smith. “The dedicated team at Grand Bank, the crews on our vessels, and the support we continue to receive from the town of Grand Bank are critical to the success of the clam business.”
Investing in Innovation
Clearwater has continued to invest in the future growth of Grand Bank Seafoods’ clam operation through licensing, research and development, survey work and new state-of-the-art vessels.
The company has become a global leader in the clam marketplace, particularly in Asia. One of the unique features contributing to its success, especially in the Arctic Surf Clam business, was the ability to establish demand for this product where no markets previously existed. This, combined with continued marketing-related initiatives, has been a driving force in growing the clam operation to a $100 million dollar yearly export business.
Bright Future
Looking ahead, innovation will continue to play a key role in harvesting capabilities and clam product development. There is a positive outlook for future growth with continued investment, as the demand for these clam species further increases in high-value sushi and sashimi markets throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
“Our clam business is a model of innovation-led export success,” said CEO Smith. “This investment allows us to continue to diversify our markets to build the value of the product as we grow consumption of surf clam globally.”
About Clearwater Seafoods
Clearwater is one of the world’s largest vertically integrated seafood companies and the largest holder of shellfish licenses and quotas in Canada. It is recognized globally for high quality production, food safety, diversity of species and reliable worldwide delivery of premium wild, eco-certified seafood that includes scallops, lobster, coldwater shrimp, langoustines, crab, whelk and groundfish as well as clams.
