Celebrating our growth in Nova Scotia - Through research, innovation, and investment we continue to make waves of sustainable development in Nova ...
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Celebrating
our growth
in Nova Scotia
Through research, innovation, and investment
we continue to make waves of sustainable
development in Nova Scotia.
See more on page 10.
COOKE FAMILY OF COMPANIES NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2021
7 16
4 10
CO O K E FA M I LY O F COM PAN I ES N E WSLE T TE R SPR I N G 2021
18 24
29 Message From Glenn
Contents
In This Issue
4 The Big Idea :
Special Features
18 Sustainability :
In Every Issue
3 Message from Glenn
Rising above and pushing forward
4 Big Idea
to a brighter tomorrow
“New times, new strategy” The state of aquaculture – You never eat
for Cooke Aquaculture Chile farmed fish? I would argue it’s possible 6 Marketplace
you don’t eat any other kind
7 Marketplace : 10 Growth and Development
Bioriginal’s Wisconsin dairy facility
24 In the News : 16 Sustainability
begins ghee production
Cooke named one of Atlantic Canada’s 24 In the News
Top Employers
29 Our People
10 Growth and Development : 25 In the News :
A
40 Community
Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. receives Celebrating women in science throughout 44 Photo Contest s a team, we have been tested, develop a complete online ordering system business and help to support families to live
provincial government approval our global operations at Cooke redirected, and adjusted more that will serve surrounding areas. This new and make a good living within the area.
Back Cover :
for new land-based hatchery in times in the past year than the 36 sales platform will better serve our customers
Nova Scotia
29 Our People : Atlantic salmon burgers –
years we have been in operation. I in this area and speaks to the innovation
We pride ourselves on working in an industry
Home-style taste, simple rooted in science and research. This past
‘Our Sundays are different’: Reedville fishing am so extremely grateful for each and every and growth taking place within our industry
February, we celebrated some of the women
16 Sustainability : community shares their passion for family, ingredients one of you who have hung in there with us, globally.
working across our global operations in the
Multi-partner teamwork helps community, and menhaden fishing worked hard and pushed yourself outside of
A focus on sustainable development and field of science. It is so great to see so many
Cooke Aquaculture fight sea lice your comfort zone to supply the world with a
with innovative R&D
40 Community : sustainable food source we are proud of.
reducing our environmental footprint unique and rewarding job opportunities the
Bell Let’s Talk Day remains a top priority in our company. The fishing and aquaculture industry provides.
While this pandemic is not behind us yet, introduction of our new recyclable packaging,
As I flip through the pages of this issue of our
the strides being made in recent months are and the continued research and development
newsletter, I am proud and humbled. I join
promising and bring us hope for the future. related to our cleanerfish program are clear
Thank you for your editorial and/or photography support: all our customers and community members
examples of how we are leading the charge
Andrew Watson, Ben Landry, Chad Kingswell,
Around the world, our employees continue in thanking you for your dedication and
and making positive changes within our
Alessandro Giardino, Regis Philippe, Jaun Garcia, to be a beacon of light for our communities, professionalism and for the steps you are
business practices.
Ana Jorquera, Jill Cronk, Jennifer Hogan, Chuck Brown, customers, and one another. We have continuing to take to keep all our families
Andrew Lively, Mark Clinton, Kevin Schyf, Joel Richardson, received incredible feedback from our We are growing our operations in Atlantic and communities safe.
Claire Ryan, Glenn Cooke, James Trask, Seth Dunlop, Len Stewart, On the Cover customers who are so impressed and grateful Canada. The new hatchery that will be built
Together, we will continue to rise above and
Kris Nicholls, Debbie Szemerda, Greg Dunlop, Joel Reed We are celebrating our growth for your ability to keep them well supplied. in Nova Scotia will create new jobs and
push forward to a brighter tomorrow.
in Nova Scotia. Read more about exciting opportunities for our rural coastal
Our colleagues in Chile have used the
For comments or suggestions, contact Kristen Cook at : our exciting new project happing communities. With the construction of God Bless,
challenges presented by the pandemic to
Kristen.Cook@cookeaqua.com in Digby on page 10. this facility, we will positively expand our Glenn Cooke, CEO
2 3
The Big Idea
“New times, new strategy”
for Cooke Aquaculture Chile
C
ooke Aquaculture Chile took their Currently, the site is offering products that
first step toward a modern retail come directly from Cooke Aquaculture Chile’s
approach with the launch of their El Tepual Processing Plant. These products
new online ordering system and include salmon fillets skin on and skinless, a
ecommerce site. While the global pandemic variety of salmon portions as well as Seajoy
has challenged the seafood industry in many products brought directly from Central
ways, it has also pushed food suppliers to America including organic shrimp available
think outside of the box and find new ways in all different formats.
to supply consumers with the products they
Last year, Cooke announced the launch of
enjoy.
the True North Seafood online order system
The new online ordering system allows Cooke through AC Covert distributors which now
Aquaculture Chile to connect directly with serves Canada and the United States. The
their consumer base and provide fresh, local, addition and development of an ecommerce
sustainable seafood to those in surrounding business plan has made seafood even more
areas. Seafood shoppers will be able to find accessible to consumers.
and purchase products quickly, with direct
If you would like to learn more about this
delivery to your table. In the current stage,
project or what forms of product are currently
ordering is available only for the Metropolitan
available for purchase at Cooke Aquaculture
region however, the company is hoping to
Chile, please visit the online ordering site at
further invest and adapt this project to supply
www.cooke.cl
more areas in the future.
4 5
Bioriginal’s Wisconsin dairy facility
begins ghee production
Marketplace
B
ioriginal is delighted to announce that its Wisconsin facility
has begun production of the company’s new ghee product.
Manufacturing equipment was installed in the facility in late
2020 with production beginning in January of this year.
New recyclable packaging True North Seafood launches frozen Ghee, also commonly known as clarified butter in North America,
launched at Maxi stores Atlantic salmon portions for retail has been used in traditional Indian cooking for thousands of years.
Although similar to clarified butter, ghee is heated longer giving it a
Consumers are increasingly making environmentally conscious The global pandemic has caused many changes in grocery patterns darker colour, nuttier flavour, and higher smoke point. The high smoke
purchase decisions, even during the pandemic. As part of Cooke’s and how consumers are buying. In the past, shoppers would be point makes ghee a great medium for frying, sautéing and baking.
company-wide commitment to sustainable development, True more interested in fresh options because they were doing smaller In addition to its cooking benefits, ghee is also devoid of lactose and
North Seafood has proudly launched new recyclable packaging trips more frequently. Today, consumers have consistently been milk proteins – which are removed during production – making it an
solutions. making fewer but larger shopping trips that are including shelf- optimal butter substitute for people that are lactose intolerant or have
stable and frozen items. dairy allergies.
A new recyclable tray and label will be available at Maxi stores,
a division of Loblaws, early this year. The new trays are 100% In addition to stocking up on frozen products, customers are paying “Bioriginal has been contemplating adding ghee to its product line
recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) overwrap food trays more attention to where their food is coming from. A recent study for a number of years – as there has been limited availability of
designed to be three times stronger than styrofoam. They prevent by Mintel on Impacts of COVID-19 on food and drink retailing show consistent, quality ghee in Canada and the USA. To address this
leaks and remain durable during packaging and transportation. that when asked the importance of fish being caught or farmed
Not only are they an environmentally friendly packaging solution, locally, 73% of Canadian respondents indicated local was ‘very supply issue, we have focused on developing processing technology,
but the clear tray allows for the fish to be the focal point and important’, and 50% of American consumers would like to see more using in-house expertise, to produce a high-quality ghee with desired
provides better merchandising for retailers. To draw attention locally produced products in store. consistency,” said Rakesh Kapoor, Director of Science & Technology at
to the trays, a new label has been created advertising the new Bioriginal. “Through our production process we are able to provide a
Based on these changing patterns, True North Seafood saw the
recyclable trays as well as a ‘Product of Canada’ call out. great tasting product while retaining the beneficial nutrients and fatty
need for frozen local products in the market and produced three
acids that are important to health.”
Seafood managers are very happy with the new recyclable trays. new frozen products for retail to suit the various markets including
They have reported that the trays are sturdier, they stand out at one SKU that is raised without the use of antibiotics. Each retail bag Ghee contains short chain and medium chain fatty acids along with
the counter, and the new label featuring the ‘Product of Canada’ is filled with four frozen individually packed salmon portions that long chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Short chain fatty
flash has customers asking more than ever where the product give consumers ultimate flexibility on when they enjoy and how acids, particularly butyrate, exert antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
comes from. We are happy to be able to offer our customers a new many portions they use at a time. Our easy to follow thawing and activity that play a central role in gut health, while medium chain
environmentally friendly option and are excited to see the program cooking instructions on back-of-pack make this offering simple for saturated fatty acids are a natural source of energy – popularised by
expand to more retail banners throughout the year. consumers to enjoy at home. the popularity of the ketogenic diet. Ghee also provides a natural
source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and omega-3 and -6 fatty
acids – all of which are associated with a long list of health benefits.
The product is being produced for the U.S. market – in the heart of the
dairy industry – at Bioriginal’s manufacturing facility in Reedsburg,
Wisconsin. The manufacturing of ghee adds to the facility’s already
established production of a variety of value-added whey protein
ingredients for the food and nutritional supplement industries,
including organic and other specialty protein products, using
processes applicable to a variety of nutritional dairy ingredients.
“We are beyond delighted to be moving forward with production of
ghee in our Wisconsin facility. A great deal of work has been done
to develop the process, ensuring consistent manufacturing and
utmost quality,” said Joe Vidal, President of Bioriginal. “We have
already contracted with a leading brand to supply ghee to, with initial
shipments going out early this year. This combination positions us well
for a robust launch, and we look forward to giving consumers across
the United States the opportunity to enjoy our premium product.”
6 7
Marketplace
True North Seafood expands
Atlantic salmon burger program
In summer 2020, True North Seafood To support the expansion of this program, expanded their distribution plans to their
launched a Atlantic Salmon Burger program True North Seafood is launching a four-pack stores and plan to feature on Costco.ca
with Costco and a few other Canadian box for US and Canadian retail this spring.
retailers. After the success of this program, With numerous new listings for this spring,
The True North Seafood team is excited to
include the new burger offerings as part of We’re proud to offer wild and farmed
True North quickly sought to expand the the teams have been working closely with
Atlantic salmon burger program plans for production to deliver even more delicious
the Fill Your Grill campaign that is focused
on bringing seafood to the grill this summer.
True North Seafood products that meet a
variety of certifications and recommendations
2021. The sales, new product development, Salmon Burgers to US and Canadian
Featuring recipes and how-to tips across
and marketing teams worked closely to to consumers. This new product is in addition to
multiple species, the team is excited to
make more salmon burgers available to more the existing club pack that will be available
educate consumers on the best techniques to
customers in more regions within North at Costco Canada this summer. Costco has
grill a variety of seafood.
America.
Atlantic Salmon Alaska Salmon Sea Bass White Shrimp
To find out more about the rest
of our products visit truenorthseafood.com
8 9
Growth and Development
Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. receives provincial government
approval for new land-based hatchery in Nova Scotia
DIGBY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA –
K
elly Cove Salmon Ltd., Cooke’s Atlantic Cooke Aquaculture’s Vice President of Public $56.8 million dollar construction project would poverty eradication and sustainable natural
Canadian salmon farming division, Relations. “We were pleased to see so many be a world-class recirculating aquaculture resource use – thereby increasing global
has received approval from the Nova of the businesses, organizations and local system (RAS) investment with significant understanding and action to support them.
Scotia Department of Fisheries and governments who we have worked with over economic and social benefits for the province
It is expected that the hatchery will take three
Aquaculture (NSDFA) for the development the years express support of our growth in and would enhance Kelly Cove’s marine
years to build and create over 450 construction
of a new land-based salmon hatchery near Nova Scotia.” salmon farming operations.
jobs, and once operational it will require
Centreville on Digby Neck. The province
Supportive submissions were received by the “We anticipate that it may take another approximately 16 new full-time, year-round
posted its decision in March, following an
NSDFA from the Town of Digby, Municipality year to secure all the required permitting Kelly Cove Salmon positions, and another 18
extensive administrative review process
of Digby, Digby Harbour Port Association, The and complete the engineering design,” indirect and induced jobs.
which included environmental, scientific and
Digby and Area Board of Trade, Bay Ferries said Richardson. “We are aiming to start
technical approvals by multiple Provincial and Since 2012, Cooke has invested significantly in
Limited, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, construction in 2022 pending pandemic
Federal regulatory authorities and a 30-day our operations in Nova Scotia, including capital
Town of Shelburne, Canadian Manufacturers market conditions and permitting approvals.”
public comment period. infrastructure on our marine farms, freshwater
& Exporters NS Division, Animal Nutrition
The United Nations General Assembly has hatcheries, major expansions at both our feed
“We have been sustainably operating Atlantic Association of Canada, Aquaculture
declared 2022 the International Year of manufacturing facility in Truro, our seafood
salmon farms for over twenty-three years in Association of Nova Scotia, and A.F. Theriault
Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA distribution facility in Dartmouth, in research
Nova Scotia for food production, and our aim & Son Ltd.
2022). A key objective of celebrating IYAFA and development projects and community and
is to grow responsibly by taking a coordinated,
Cooke Aquaculture is currently half-way 2022 is to focus world attention on the role student initiatives. We are proud of the work we
thoughtful, science-based approach and
through its capital investment plan for Nova that small-scale fishers, fish farmers and fish are doing in these areas and we will continue to
going through all the appropriate licensing
Scotia; this facility is part of that plan. This workers play in food security and nutrition, invest in our coastal communities.
and permitting steps,” says Joel Richardson,
10 11
Growth and Development
Marine maintenance yard
remains ‘business as usual’
despite global pandemic
ST. ALBAN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA –
Companies across Newfoundland, in all
sectors, have had to adjust over the last
New capabilities with the year to protect their employees, operations
addition of Mariner Seafood and communities from the pandemic, but
thanks to a series of recent investments and
NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, USA – In October 2020, Mariner upgrades, it has been business as usual at
Seafood was welcomed to the Cooke family of companies. Here is a Cold Ocean Salmon’s saltwater maintenance
glimpse into the capabilities the new processing plant will offer. yard in St. Alban’s.
At the 86 MacArthur location, we process cod, haddock, flounder, Cold Ocean has been enhancing the capacity
scallop, tuna, and shrimp. This location can process products at this facility since 2018 so that vessel and
fresh, IVP and tray pack with approximately 115 employees. With net maintenance could happen on-site,
production and sanitation measures, this facility operates 24 hours instead of sending equipment to other parts
a day ensuring fresh sustainable seafood is being delivered to our of the province or region. The timing of these
customers quickly and safely. upgrades has turned out to be fortunate
The 14 South location is a salmon and trout fillet and portioning considering new operational practices that
facility. At this location, we run two full production shifts six days are in place as a result of the COVID-19
a week. This includes crews totalling to about 110 processing pandemic. full-time employees oversee maintenance to vessel maintenance. “We are fortunate
employees. and repairs to the nets used at all Cold Ocean that thanks to the changes we made over
In 2018 Cold Ocean Salmon received ACOA
sea sites in Newfoundland, and there is also a the last few years, new restrictions and
support to install a haul-out trailer at the
full-time fish health technician working from considerations that have come about because
St. Alban’s facility, equipment that can haul
an on-site fish health lab. of the pandemic have not had any impact
vessels up to 120 tons from the water and
on our day-to-day work or overall ability to
onto a trailer for maintenance and repairs. The marine maintenance yard has three
operate.”
“In the past, when work had to be done, full-time staff, who are often supported by
we had to sail vessels to other parts of the five or six contract welders and mechanics. The skills and expertise these companies
province or as far as Nova Scotia,” explains “We are fortunate to have a team of highly provide are an asset to Cold Ocean Salmon,
Sheldon George, regional manager for Cold skilled contract workers. They are essential but their presence in the area is also a boon
Ocean Salmon Inc., Cooke Aquaculture’s to our projects, but also welcomed by the to the community, as many relocate to the
Newfoundland subsidiary. “Since we have community as they are renting in the area St. Alban’s area for the duration of any given
made this investment, we are easily able to and supporting local businesses while they project. This ability to have people come
do preventative maintenance, mitigate the are here,” says George. Conne River’s Coast of for longer-term contract work has become
need for certain repairs, and be ahead of the Bays Contracting, and Aqua Marine Services especially important now as people are being
game on inspections and upgrades.” GMG Inc., based in Botwood, are two of the local discouraged from travelling around the
86 MacArthur Net Repairs has a facility on-site, where five companies whose workforce are critical province on account of the pandemic.
14 South
12 13
Growth and Development
Cooke welcomes two new workboats
to Orkney organic sites
ORKNEY, SCOTLAND – Cooke Aquaculture Scotland has
taken delivery of two identical workboats – the Ella May and
the Naomi D – which have arrived in Orkney and will support
Culmarex Group tests surface Vessel maintenance for the company’s organic seawater sites at Canva in Scapa Flow
supply technology to enhance safety the F/V Kalatxori and Mill Bay in Stronsay.
Bioriginal Europe/Asia B.V. completes
conditions for divers URUGUAY – After two years on the water with our frozen The vessels are identical and were designed and constructed
by Nauplius Workboats in Groningen in the Netherlands. Both
installation of new, state-of-the-art bottling line
at sea hake vessel F/V Kalatxori, it was time for some
SPAIN – At Culmarex, since the implementation of ISO 45001 in are equipped with a 13-metre crane with a lifting capacity of DEN BOMMEL, NETHERLANDS – Bioriginal Europe/Asia B.V. is excited
tune ups. We trusted Tsakos Industrias Navales for a full
September 2019, we have as a priority to continue with a safer and more over 1,100 kg at full reach. to announce the successful installation of a new, state-of-the-art bottling
drydock routine to be fully ready for fishing for the next
motivated workforce, which prioritizes the health and safety of all. This line at its facility in Den Bommel, The Netherlands. The new addition
two years. Following the Cooke tradition of naming boats after family
is an ongoing quest to improve our working methods. As an example gives Bioriginal Europe/Asia B.V. the ability to offer its line of nutritional
Tsakos Industrias Navales is a shipyard in the heart of and staff, Ella May is named after the daughters – Lilly May
of this we are testing in our marine facilities of Guardamar del Segura, oils as finished products – enabling the company to expand its turnkey
the beautiful harbour of Montevideo. This location is and Ella Marie – of Cooke Aquaculture’s Head Engineer, Terry
province of Alicante, diving crew with surface supply diving equipment capabilities in the European and Asian markets.
approximately half an hour from an international airport Rendall.
and methods.
and a few minutes from the historical, commercial and “We are excited to announce the installation of our new bottling line,”
Terry joined Cooke Aquaculture in summer 2015 and lives in
Participating in the tests, among others, Jose Martínez (Operations says Armand van de Putte, Sr. Vice President & Managing Director of
financial center. This makes the shipyard easy to find and Harray with his wife, Sarah, and three children (pictured).
Manager), Paco García (Plant Manager), Jose Marin (Occupational Risk Bioriginal Europe/Asia B.V. “This facility upgrade allows us to expand
easier for customers to access their services. The floating
Prevention Technician). Terry said, “The Ella May is the latest addition to our fleet of our services and offer our customers a single point of contact for product
dock was purchased in 1988 to the Blohm y Voss German
workboats, and has been purpose-built to meet our needs. development.”
These methods supply divers under water with air from the surface. shipyard of 20,000 tons lifting capacity, 200 m total length,
Working with air supply from surface should provide us with several 31,5 m internal beam. “Cooke Aquaculture is family-owned company and they With the new oil bottling line, Bioriginal Europe/Asia B.V. can provide
advantages for our divers, such as: have a lovely tradition of naming boats after staff and their an assortment of finished products, such as MCT oils (organic, C8, 60/40,
Local Coast Guard and Bureau Veritas and Class Society
family. We are really honoured to have a boat named after our 70/30), marine oils, algal oil, plant-based oils (pumpkin, flax, borage,
Unlimited air supply required an intensive list of tasks to be done in order to be
daughters Lilly May and Ella Marie.” blackcurrant), as well as customized blends.
Clearer surface certified for 2021 and 2022. This year, it was necessary to
communications check hull valves, rudder, shaft and internal system, chain, Naomi D entered service at our Mill Bay organic site in “Our ongoing investment strengthens our support for our clients as
anchor, tanks, ultrasonic measurements for all hull and Stronsay in October 2020. She is named after our Orkney- a turnkey solutions provider, delivering a full range of services from
We are excited about trialing
internal structure. The most impressive point of this repair based environmental analyst Naomi Dempsey, and will ingredient sourcing to finished product,” noted van de Putte.
this technology within our
was that she is using the new system for painting the hull support operations at Mill Bay, as well as Bay of Holland (our
operations and hope to
under the water line with Hempel technology. Special newest organic site) which is under construction.
continue to further advance
paint based on silicone, Hempaguard X7 is a high solids,
our safety measures for those
advanced fouling defense coating based on ActiGuard®
working on the water.
technology which utilizes the added effect of advanced
hydrogel silicone and an efficient fouling preventing
biocide. This boosts the antifouling barrier and prolongs
the fouling free period, moreover, adding a 3% to 5% of fuel
oil consumption reduction.
This successful repair was carried out by Mathias Arenares
our new Fleet Manager and Oscar Godoy as our Technical
Manager. We cannot wait to get back on the water with this
beloved vessel in Uruguay.
Get social with
Cooke Aquaculture Chile
LI
LOS LAGOS, CHILE – We are excited to announce that we
are now active on Linkedin and Instagram! Our published
content has been very well accepted by the community and
our collaborators. We invite you to follow us and visit our
pages to learn more about what is going on here in Chile!
14 15
Sustainability Multi-partner teamwork helps
Cooke Aquaculture fight sea lice
with innovative R&D
NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA –
S
ea lice, the scourge of salmon farmers, Although sea lice are not harmful to humans, “In most salmon farming, prolonged use
has cost the global aquaculture they do harm juvenile salmon and stunt of therapeutants leads to resistance in lice
industry billions of dollars over the appetite and growth in adults, costing an populations and concerns over the effect on
years. Until recently, the weapons estimated $1 billion a year to salmon farmers surrounding flora and fauna.”
available for farmers to defend against these around the world. The total economic impacts
There are still wrinkles to smooth. Dr.
natural pests of fish, consisted of various of Atlantic Canada’s farmed salmon sector
Javier Santander, a marine microbiologist
therapeutic in feed and bath treatments amount to just under $2 billion in output and
at Memorial and one of the scientific
coupled with complicated and costly $800 million in GDP, about $350 million in
leaders of the project, says lumpfish and
mechanical removal, which are becoming salaries for more than 8,000 workers. Says
cunner biology are not well documented,
less effective over time. Richardson: “There is a lot at stake here.”
compared with other species. That makes
Swanson says Cold Ocean Salmon Inc.,
Now, with support from provincial and understanding the pathogens that may affect
Cooke’s subsidiary in Newfoundland and
federal governments in Atlantic Canada, them (and, by extension, the salmon they
Labrador, started working on the cleaner
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and a team “clean”) and the development of vaccines
fish process with Memorial University ten
of university-based and public-sector challenging. “Fortunately, we have formed a
years ago, and with Dalhousie University
researchers are close to fully domesticating a partnership with Cooke, the Ocean Frontier
researchers for the past two years. Thanks to
native “cleaner fish to more naturally reduce Institute, Atlantic Fisheries Fund, Genome
steady progress, he says, “We have invested
parasite numbers from commercial salmon Atlantic, and the Canadian Center for
significantly in this strategy, and begun
farms.” According to Dr. Andrew Swanson, Fisheries and Innovation to develop and
to scale and expand the routine use of
Vice President, Research & Development, test effective vaccines in the field, select for
lumpfish in our salmon production farms
it is a first for North America, and could be resistant lumpfish to infectious diseases,
of Newfoundland. We have recently started
an industry game changer. “This innovative sequence lump-fish and cunner genomes,
to populate our farms in New Brunswick,
marine program involves raising cultured and profile their transcriptome in response
and eventually, we will move this as needed
lumpfish as an effective and eco-friendly sea to immunization,” he says. All of which,
into operations in Nova Scotia and Maine.
lice removal method,” he says. “These fish Swanson says, is “a wonderful example of a
Developments here are also expected to
basically eat and remove lice which settle on multi-level partnership harnessing nature
guide best practices for cleaner fish programs
salmon in sea cages. Lice, in large numbers, to a commercial advantage.” The program
at our other global farms.”
are harmful to the Atlantic salmon, the has received financial support from AFF,
aquaculture industry, and are presently one Danny Boyce, Facility and Business Manager ACOA, Genome Atlantic, Canadian Centre
of the most important fish health challenges.” of Memorial’s Dr. Joe Brown Aquatic Research for Fisheries Innovation, DFO ACRDP, Ocean
Building, says he encountered the cleaner fish Frontier Institute, NSERC, MITACS, as well
Vice President of Public Relations, Joel
approach while investigating new ideas for the as indirectly from Governments of NL & NS,
Richardson added that while 98 per cent of
facility a number of years ago. “Aquaculture and Canada. The specific research groups
the company’s current sea lice treatments
is a very pronounced industry in Atlantic collaborating on aspects of the cleaner fish
in Atlantic Canada are mechanical and eco-
Canada and Maine,” he says. “I thought cleaner program are Memorial (NL), Dalhousie (NS),
friendly, the cleaner fish program provides
fish use may be of interest if we can develop Guelph (ON), DFO’s SAB Station (NB), as well
a new, green alternative to complement the
it here locally. So, I reached out to Cooke.” In as Pronova (NS) and Belleoram Nursery (NL).
mix of existing approaches. “They could be
fact, the process is proven in Norway, where
very effective in preventing infestations from * This article originally appeared in Atlantic
salmon farmers have been using wild caught
advancing, especially in the early vulnerable Business Magazine,
cleaner fish since the 1990s. Says Boyce:
stages of a salmon’s life cycle,” he said. www.atlanticbusinessmagazine.com
16 17
Sustainability
Total Maine Aquaculture Harvest Value
$100,000,000
$90,000,000
The state of aquaculture
$80,000,000
$70,000,000
You never eat farmed fish? I would argue it’s possible you don’t eat any other kind. $60,000,000
Harvest Value ($)
$50,000,000
$40,000,000
By Nancy Harmon Jenkins For complex reasons, the gulf is warming winter, groundfish in the spring. You could keep the money here. If I got a scallop farm $30,000,000
faster than almost any other body of water in just go round and round the seasons and get up and running, I could harvest year-round,
Stormy, chilly, turbulent, the 36,000 square
the world. Warmer temperatures drive away by—you had something to do. And all of that, as long as they pass the toxicity test. Then,” he $20,000,000
miles of gray-green ocean known as the Gulf
cold-loving species like northern shrimp. whether through over-fishing or government smiled, “I might just give up lobstering. They
of Maine nourish an astonishing variety of
At the same time, rising acidity threatens regulation or whatever, has been pretty definitely seem to be moving east.” $10,000,000
life. Sucking in the Labrador current and
shellfish and the plankton at the very much taken away.” As he spoke he looked up,
swirling in a counter-clockwise gyre from “Farmed fish? I never eat farmed fish!” I’ve $0
bottom of the oceanic food chain. Eventually, the mildness in his tone belying the hint of 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
the eastern coast of Nova Scotia down heard that statement more times than I Total Harvest Value $66,602,539 $8,008,847 $83,003,459 $52,624,276 $37,612,339 $32,221,580 $82,550,294 $62,058,671 $71,750,076 $88,408,714
if slowly, even lobsters, now in historic bitterness I detected in his words: “It’s kind of
around to the inner shore of Cape Cod, it can count, and not just from misinformed
abundance, may crawl away east in search a really messed-up system,” he said.
bathes islands and peninsulas, deep bays consumers but also from restaurant chefs
of colder water. “It may be in four years, it This chart from the Maine Department of Marine Resources shows the growing value of Maine aquaculture.
and shallow ledges with nutrient-rich waters. Miller still fishes his string of traps, still and innkeepers up and down the coast of By comparison Maine lobster fishermen landed about $485 million worth of lobsters in 2018.
may take forty, but it will happen,” said Josh
Abundance brought the early Wabanaki and keeps an eye on his family’s wharf in this Maine. The fact is more than 50 percent of
Conover, a lobster fisherman who also raises
later Europeans to settle along this coast, small port, but he has joined forces with all the seafood we consume comes from
Marshall Cove Mussels off Islesboro. or replacing them, fish farming of one The markets are developing, with support
establishing fishing villages and seaports, a cohort of like-minded folks to form the aquaculture, and that is as true in this
many of which exist to this day. But today What this means for the future of Maine Maine Aquaculture Coop, with the aim of country as in Europe or Asia. It might be sort or another is starting to look like the from institutions and individuals alike. It’s
that abundance is diminished. fisheries is increasingly clear. Listen to farming sea scallops on Penobscot Bay sites scary shrimp from an environmentally future for many waterfront communities in clear that aquaculture has an important role
Peter Miller, another lobster fisherman and from Stonington to Spruce Head. It has been destructive farm in Indonesia or salmon Maine—even deep inland in Caribou where to play in the state’s economic future.
As demand for seafood grows and wild stocks the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, a tribal
a nascent scallop farmer: “I’ve been fishing an uphill struggle: Raising scallops, unlike raised in the clean cold waters of Cobscook Production in Maine is healthy, growing
continue to decline, sustainably practiced community, is raising fat, pink, succulent
for going on 45 years,” Miller told me one oysters, mussels or salmon, is not something Bay according to Maine’s strict environmental by 2.2 percent annually, a figure that’s
aquaculture is starting to look like the future, trout for high-end restaurants. Today, Maine
gray November morning as we watched a with a model ready to hand; the scallop protocols—but more than half of all seafood been consistent over the last two decades,
both along the Maine coast and inland where aquaculture covers a broad spectrum of—
rain-soaked fog sock in over Tenants Harbor. farmers had to go to Japan for information. consumed around the world is farmed. including throughout the 2008 economic
fish are being raised in indoor pens. shellfish (oysters, mussels, and scallops),
“When I started, I could take my boat any Miller is not sure he can make scallop downturn. According to Sebastian
So: you never eat farmed fish? I would argue finfish (salmon, trout, and newcomers in the
Atlantic salmon declined decades ago, and time and go catch something and make a farming his own future. But, he added, “I Belle, director of the Maine Aquaculture
it’s possible you don’t eat any other kind. industry, kingfish or yellowtail), eels, and
other favored species from cod to halibut to living. Lobstering in the summer and fall, want to develop something younger guys can Association, there currently are 125 active
Another statistic, possibly even more even seaweed (often called sea vegetables).
northern shrimp to herring are increasingly scallops in the fall and winter, shrimp in the do, something fishing communities can do, to sea farms in the state, plus more than 700
startling: more than 90 percent of the seafood
hard to find. Urchins were fished practically
consumed in the United States is imported,
to extinction to furnish the Japanese market, Atlantic Sea Farm partners with fishermen along Josh Conover of Islesboro pulls up
the coast to grow kelp. This boat belongs to Justin and a lot of it comes from U.S. harvests that
wild clams and mussels are in reduced a line of mussels on his farm. Photo
Papkee from Long Island. The crew is harvesting are shipped to Asia for processing. Alaskan by Jack Sullivan, Island Institute.
supply, and elvers and scallops are tightly
skinny kelp from lines off Chebeague Island. Photo pollock goes to Asia to be turned into
regulated. One after the other, fisheries courtesy Atlantic sea Farms and the New England surimi, the fake fish served in cheap sushi
are collapsing. While lobsters have been Ocean Cluster. restaurants. Bigger fish are sent to Asia and
a success story, that fishery too has faced
re-exported as frozen fillets or fish fingers.
challenges—in the 2019 season, lobster
Elvers, baby eels from Maine, go to China
landings were down more than 15 percent
to be grown to maturity, then to Japan to be
from 2018.
processed into unagi, then are shipped back
Inevitably, overfishing is targeted as a cause here to garnish a sushi platter. Next time you
of the depletion, but decades of regulation wrap your chopsticks around a tasty piece of
and controls have done little to improve unagi kabayaki and wonder where it came
the situation. Today, ocean researchers from—it probably started off in Maine!
recognize something fishermen have
With the U.S. market for seafood growing
contended all along: overfishing is only one
exponentially and wild fisheries under
piece of the puzzle. Gulf species have been
increasing pressure, aquaculture, well-
directly impacted by climate change, which
regulated and sustainably practiced, offers
has brought rapidly warming waters and
a solution. Either supplementing lobsters
increased acidification to the Gulf of Maine.
18 19Sustainability
pending Limited Purpose Aquaculture In the past, aquaculture held negative all of increasing prominence in the overall that, like the Darling Center, also serves a
applications. An LPA allows applicants connotations for many Mainers and it still aquaculture picture. Other organizations valuable function as an aquaculture business
to lease from the state 400 square feet of does for a few—lobster fishermen who worry have been equally proactive. One important incubator; CCAR is currently working
area for one calendar year to encourage that fish farms will take over their lobster outfit, also in Walpole, is the Maine with a Dutch company, Kingfish Zeeland,
experimentation. And lest anyone worry grounds, as well as shoreside dwellers who Aquaculture Innovation Center, established which is starting an extensive operation in
that ocean leases are taking over the Maine fear they might ruin the view. But it’s not by the state legislature in 1988; the center Jonesport to raise kingfish (a.k.a. yellowtail
coastline, Belle said, the total put together exactly new here. There are two historic sponsors research projects, from developing or amberjack, a fish in the Seriola family) in a
amounts to less than a sizable Aroostook centers—Cobscook Bay way downeast where kelp seed to improving observational buoys, land-based facility. Meanwhile, the Downeast
potato farm. Peter Piconi, until recently the salmon farming got its start and still remains in order to promote economic development Institute on Beals, a research facility also tied
director of the Island Institute’s Aquaculture prime, and the Damariscotta River and its in aquaculture. For hands-on training, the to the University of Maine, undertakes major
Business Development Program, backs that broad estuary at the entrance to Penobscot Island Institute launched an Aquaculture studies of shellfish, especially bivalves, and
Salmon swim in one of Cooke Aquaculture’s pens at sea.
up: “Look,” he said, “if you could put all the Bay. On that river, in Clarks Cove near Business Development Program in 2016 to their predators, whether farmed or in the
shellfish sites and all the seaweed sites Walpole, the University of Maine’s Darling promote shellfish and seaweed farming, wild. It’s clear from this that the University of
together up and down the coast, they’d fit into Marine Center set up a shellfish aquaculture taking on 25 applicants each year. By Maine has been in the forefront of promoting Meanwhile, oysters, mussels, and scallops In the end, it’s about sharing the waterfront
Rockland harbor.” program back in 1970, under the direction early 2020, 100 participants had joined the aquaculture in the state. Another indication are filter feeders. An oyster can filter up to for the benefit of all. Even those in the
of Dr. Herb Hidu. It was an early vision of program; and 32 of them, according to Piconi, of the university’s prominence is the large 50 gallons of water daily, removing both service trades, hotels and restaurants,
The farmgate value of Maine aquaculture,
the importance sea farming could have. have started up aquaculture businesses. number of people active in all aspects of fish nitrogen and micro-algae that block the light understand that without a functioning
according to MAA’s Belle, is between $80
Today oyster farms have spread along the farming who have come out of university that seaweeds need for photosynthesis. This working waterfront, Maine is nothing but
and $105 million (it shifts with the salmon Aquaculture in Shared Waters is another
coast and islands, extending from well east undergraduate and graduate programs. is what’s called multitrophic aquaculture—the another stop on the endless bucket list of
harvest, which varies from year to year), with hands-on learning platform, backed by the
of Mt. Desert all the way southwest to the two, shellfish and seaweeds grown together. tourism. It should be—and can be—so much
an overall economic impact of $140 million. state university’s Maine Sea Grant program, These are just a few of the organizations
Piscataqua River. The business is constantly Scientists call seaweed’s ability to remediate more. Aquaculture, along with fishing and
In terms of employment, that’s some 650 the Maine Aquaculture Association, and that focus primarily on aquaculture. Others,
expanding but those involved say demand ocean acidification “phytoremediation.” Arnold strong coastal communities, can help to keep
jobs, most of them taken by younger people. Coastal Enterprises Inc., encouraging such as the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
continues to be high for Maine’s high-quality is excited about results from experiments it that way.
That’s important, too—the average age in shellfish and seaweed farmers with in Portland or Bigelow Laboratories, an
oysters and supply will not exceed it for a conducted with mussel and kelp culture side
aquaculture in Maine is 36; the average age ongoing seminars and courses. The Center independent research group in Boothbay, And in the end, too, there may not be a
long time to come. by side in Casco Bay, where the positive effects
of commercial fishermen is 57. In a state for Cooperative Aquaculture Research on include aquaculture as part of more wide- choice. Because, says Briana Warner, head
could be measured and analyzed. Mussels
that is constantly seeking a younger, more The Darling Center also does major research Taunton Bay in Franklin is yet another ranging interests in the oceans. of Atlantic Sea Farms, which promotes,
grown close to the kelp developed thicker,
productive population, that is important news. in mussel, scallop, and seaweed culture, university-sponsored research institution processes, and markets Maine-grown
Seaweed and shellfish farms have an denser shells. “Look,” she said in conclusion,
seaweed, “Aquaculture is beautiful, and it’s
attraction that goes well beyond the food they “it’s not going to save the world. But it will have
hopeful.” In answer to critics who complain
provide. They also play a role in mitigating an impact at a local scale.”
about threats to coastal communities, she
the damage climate change wreaks on the
replies with characteristic enthusiasm:
ocean environment. Ocean acidification
“Diversifying, getting into aquaculture, that
happens when the ocean takes up excess FocusMaine is an initiative of Maine business
will be what helps us remain who we are.
carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. people who have charged themselves with
Climate change is seriously threatening
Excess CO2 lowers the pH and calcium promoting a sustainable model for Maine’s
our other fisheries. And if there are fewer
carbonate levels of ocean waters, and calcium economic future. In 2018 they targeted
and fewer options for people to work on
carbonate is vital for the development of three areas where the state could excel:
the water, the whole face of our coast will
lobsters, oysters, and other shellfish. Susie biopharmaceuticals, agriculture (especially
change and no one wants that outcome.”
Arnold, a marine scientist at Island Institute, organic and sustainable agriculture), and
explained how this works: seaweeds, like aquaculture, for which they advocated Nancy Harmon Jenkins is the author of many
land plants, absorb carbon dioxide and strongly. Aquaculture, the group said in books and contributes to many publications,
give off oxygen, just like the lettuce in your its report, could add as many as 17,000 including The Wall Street Journal,
garden and the trees in your yard. They can new jobs by the middle of this decade. The the Washington Post, and Saveur.
capture enough CO2 to reduce the acidity of reasons? Increased seafood consumption
This article was previously published on
the surrounding water and make shellfish both nationally and internationally; Maine’s
MaineBoats.com and is part of a series in
grow better, with stronger shells. Seaweeds reputation for honest products; Maine’s clean
their Special Report on Aquaculture in Maine.
also take up nitrogen and phosphorous, environmental record; and Maine’s population,
Continue reading the rest of this series at
prevalent in some coastal waters, making a which knows what it’s talking about when it
www.maineboats.com
more nourishing environment for all species. comes to seafood.
20 21Sustainability
Our sea turtle conservation project
NICARAGUA – Seajoy developed their sea turtle conservation project in June of 2007
and it still continues today. This project aims to preserve the species of marine turtles
that nest in the Pacific north of Nicaragua, Jiquilillo’s community and The Salt Mines.
Our hatchery (SASA) works with the communities in the conservation and care of
these species.
Our teams at Seajoy were proud to host the 2020 sea turtle release event this past
year. The group continues to release baby turtles back into their natural environment
assisting with our natural ecosystem within the waterway. There have been an
impressive 5000 sea turtles safely released as a result of this program to date.
An ocean of
opportunity awaits
At Cooke, we believe in rewarding initiative, resourcefulness and work ethic. Please visit
MyCookeCareer.com to review potential opportunities to move your career forward.
LFT
22 23In the News
Celebrating citizenship
virtually Celebrating women in science throughout
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA –
Onaolapo Badejoko (she goes by Ona), is
our global operations at Cooke
a Global Treasury Analyst working in our
Cooke named one of
Saint John office. On January 28, she and
her 10-year-old daughter Obaforehanmi
were sworn in as Canadian citizens in a
Atlantic Canada’s virtual ceremony, which came about because
in-person ceremonies were cancelled due to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shelby Olsen, Director of Environmental Affairs,
joined Omega Protein in October of 2017. Shelby
Louisiana Women Leaders, a network of statewide
organizations who educate, engage, empower and
Top Employers
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil equip African American Women.
In a feature story in the NB Telegraph- Engineering from Iowa State University and has
Shelby’s expertise and experience has been
Journal, Ona, who grew up in Nigeria, talked more than 25 years of experience in environmental
invaluable to a number of multi-functional
about what citizenship means for her and affairs and project management.
teams on which she has participated, and in
CANADA –
A
her family. She said her parents met in Her current responsibilities include leading the her relatively short time with Omega Protein,
tlantic Business Magazine has “Top Employers understand that their Canada in the 1970s, and her father-in-law environmental affairs efforts of Omega Protein as has been instrumental in implementing new
announced its selections of ability to operate depends on the health came to Saint John in the 1980s for a short well as representing the company with regulatory environmental, health and safety processes such as
Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers of their community. They are strong now time. agencies and various associations such as the Waste Management Auditing, Risk Assessment and
and, thanks to the dedication, and they will only grow stronger as the Ona always felt she wanted to move to Virginia Manufacturers Association, where she Management of Change.
commitment and caring of our entire team, economy recovers,” said Anthony Meehan, Canada. serves on the Water/Wastewater Regulation Sub-
Shelby is known for her persistence and insistence
we are excited to tell you that we have the founder and president of Mediacorp Committee.
“It was a huge step. Starting a new life,” she on doing the right things the right way and we are
earned a place on this list. Canada Inc., the company which researches
The Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers award
and selects the Atlantic Canada’s Top told the Telegraph-Journal. Shelby Olsen A mother of three, she has also made time to
participate in local community organizations
very proud to have her as one of the leaders of the
Environmental, Health and Safety Team at Omega
Employer honourees. Ona came to Saint John in 2015 and earned
is an excellent complement to our Canada’s – VIRGINIA, USA throughout her career and is currently a member of Protein.
Best Managed Companies designation – We believe we are among our region’s a Master’s degree in business administration
which we have maintained for 15 straight most exciting, innovative and rewarding at the University of New Brunswick’s Saint
years, giving us Platinum Member status. companies and this award is something John campus.
we all share – because it is our team, While waiting for her husband to come to
More than 1,000 companies applied for the Melissa Thrift joined Omega Protein in August Her attention to detail makes her an excellent
#TeamCooke, that earned it. You are our Canada, Ona was a full-time student and
award and 35 were selected. of 2009. She has a Bachelor of Science degree asset in a field where consumer satisfaction and
greatest strength because you care. You mother of two small children. She said the in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia safety are the primary objectives. She is currently
One of the most important criteria that care about our work, you care about our city began to grow on her. Polytechnic Institute and State University. working to standardize internal quality audits and
makes a Top Employer, especially during a environment and you care about our
procedures throughout the company’s three fish
pandemic, is how a company cares about communities. “New Brunswick is a wonderful place to live,” Her first position was an office laboratory assistant
processing plants. She also manages the internal
its communities – and this is a value that she said. working with refined oils at the Health and Science
Thank you for everything you do to make laboratory cross check series, customer questions,
has always been important to our company “People have been so nice, people have been Center. She soon moved from this position to
our company exceptional! and assists with regulatory and customer audits.
and our people. welcoming us.” Quality Scientist responsible for production testing
to ensure product integrity. In this role she helped When she is not at work, Melissa enjoys spending
manage the laboratory by tracking samples and time with her husband and two sons. Melissa enjoys
Onaolapo Badejoko, Global Treasury Analyst with
Cooke, and her daughter Obaforehanmi are now results, writing procedures, and training new the outdoors and has been fishing and hunting since
Morris earns CLP designation Canadian citizens after participating in a recent employees and interns. she was a young girl. She has officiated volleyball
virtual citizenship ceremony. for the Virginia High School League for eight years,
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA – Melissa has been in her current position as Quality
supports her church, and volunteers with her son’s
Melissa Thrift
Congratulations to Alex Morris, from our Systems and Compliance Coordinator for about a
local Little League baseball team.
Logistics team, who, in August 2020, earned year and works to help the company meet today’s
his Certified Logistics Professional designation – VIRGINIA, USA regulatory quality standards.
in supply chain logistics management
from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and
Transportation (CITT).
24 25In the News
On UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science we caught up with three
Cooke colleagues at the top of their game in science-based careers in aquaculture
Naomi Dempsey
– SCOTLAND
Naomi’s career path into science was assessments, using many of the skills
not an obvious one. She completed and experiences she had gained Rhona Robertson Ola Wands
an undergraduate degree and then at university, before joining Cooke
went on to do a PhD in archaeology at Aquaculture Scotland in 2014. – SCOTLAND – SCOTLAND
Aberdeen University. But during this “I have never come up against anything that As a Fish Health Manager at Cooke Aquaculture Scotland,
Grupo Culmarex
Her role is hugely important to
time at university she found she spend made me feel that because I am a woman I a typical week sees Ola visiting different seawater and
the quality of fish produced at
increasing amounts of time focusing
fish health and welfare team
Cooke’s seawater salmon farms in cannot do something” says Rhona Robertson, freshwater farms to ensure the health and welfare of our
on applying scientific techniques and a Lab Co-ordinator in the Fish Health team at fish.
the coastal waters of Orkney and
analysis to her research. Cooke Aquaculture Scotland. – SPAIN
Shetland, taking samples to monitor “My role is very varied – there is the hands-on fish
“As I got older I developed more of the health of the seabed and the “I loved biology at school and wanted to work inspections, but I also spend a lot of time speaking to the In Spain, our Grupo Culmarex fish health and welfare team
an appreciation for science in action marine environment, and using in a lab and do research. My former biology site teams, coordinating veterinary health and welfare is comprised of eight women, all involved in fish biology and
– how it could be used to explain hydrographic and water chemical teacher – Mrs Maisie – probably did more plans, and take part in numerous projects all geared to veterinary medicine.
things rather than just the theory. data to understand their effect than most to nurture an interest in science improve the health and welfare of fish.”
My postgraduate degree included on how fish are reared and the With four fish vets and four highly-qualified biologists in
and encourage me to pursue a science-based
lots of elements of geophysics, soil environment they are farmed in. Ola graduated from Glasgow University in 2010 with a its ranks, the team is not only connected to the challenging
career.
microbiology, carbon dating and degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology. operational aspects of the day-to-day fish farming activities at
“I love my job. I have not had a “It was either science or music, and science sea, but also displays and uses an array of technical skills that
macrofauna analysis which are all “After I graduated I was working part time and got
conventional science career, but my won (just!). require intensive education and advanced training.
relevant to understanding past human the opportunity to do some work experience at Cooke
advice to girls thinking about a job
activity. These research techniques “At university the majority of people studying Aquaculture Scotland, and applied and got the fish health Fish physiology and immunology, parasitology, histopathology,
in science would be to take every
really developed a strong interest my course were female, and in my previous co-ordinator role. I was in the right place at the right time.” and microbiology are part of their daily routine.
opportunity that you can and bolster
in the science side of archaeology role supervisors and managers were all
whatever you are doing academically With eight years’ experience under her belt, Ola From these sophisticated biological and laboratory skills to
and what it contributes to our female. Maybe I am lucky I have never had to
with real workplace experience or was promoted to the role of fish health manager in statistical analyses of epidemiological data or innovation in
understanding of history.” overcome the barriers that some women do.”
volunteering as it will help you to 2018. During this time she saw the company and the fish health and welfare and with a network and support of
After leaving university she worked demonstrate the skills you need to After graduating with a degree in Biological aquaculture sector grow significantly. universities or biotech companies, our team sees an ocean of
on environmental impact and risk get a head start in your career.” Sciences from Glasgow Caledonian University opportunity for women to thrive in this field.
“Women are playing an increasingly important part in
Rhona worked for several years gaining
the sector, especially in the science of salmon farming,
skills and experience working for a contract
and I would encourage more women to come and work in
research company in Stirling.
aquaculture.”
26 27You can also read
