About Us

Founded in 1976 as a small lobster retailer in Nova Scotia, Clearwater Seafoods has grown into one of North America’s largest Indigenous-owned and vertically integrated seafood companies, operating from ocean to plate. Today, Clearwater is recognized internationally for superior quality, rigorous food safety standards, a diverse portfolio of premium Canadian seafood, and reliable global delivery of lobster, scallops, clams, snow crab shrimp, and turbot.

For five decades, Clearwater has invested in science, people, communities, technological innovation, and responsible resource management. These commitments have strengthened the company’s position as a global seafood leader and advanced its reputation for sustainable seafood excellence.

In 2021, Clearwater entered a new era when it was acquired by a partnership between Premium Brands and the Mi’kmaq Coalition, representing seven Mi’kmaq communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. As a proudly Indigenous-owned company, Clearwater is committed to building a sustainable seafood future that creates lasting value for generations to come.

Clearwater Overview Video

Clearwater’s History and Achievements

1976

Founding

John Risley and Colin Macdonald founded Clearwater with a lobster retail shop on the Bedford Highway in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

1979

Developed and implemented the world’s first Dryland Lobster Pound

Clearwater’s Dryland Lobster Pound holds lobster in a stress-free environment, providing access to a year-round supply of fresh, live lobster.

1981

Opened Clearwater UK Ltd. Lobster

Clearwater opened UK Ltd. Lobster after determining this marketplace was a strong fit for exporting lobster.

1986–1988

Added the ‘Atlantic Surf I’ to fleet and acquired Highland Fisheries in Glace Bay, NS and Pierce Fisheries in Lockeport, NS

1991

Opened Grand Bank

Clearwater opened Grand Bank Seafoods, located in Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador, home of the company’s clam processing operation.

1994-1996

Opened first sales offices in China and the US

Clearwater was the first Canadian seafood company to open a sales office in China.

1999

Opened St. Anthony Seafoods

Clearwater opened St. Anthony Seafoods, located in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador, home of the company’s shrimp processing operation.

2002

Clearwater became a publicly traded company

Clearwater Seafoods Inc. is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CLR.

2007

Modernized lobster fleet and replaced aging vessels with the ‘Randell Dominaux’

The addition of the modern and efficient Randell Dominaux consolidated Clearwater’s offshore lobster fishing fleet from five vessels to one.

2012

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of all core species

Arctic surf clams, Nova Scotia snow crab, Canadian sea scallops, Argentine scallops, Canadian coldwater shrimps and Eastern Canadian offshore lobster are all MSC-certified.

2014-2015

Added the Capesante and Belle Carnell to fleet and acquired Macduff Shellfish Group

The acquisition of Macduff brings together two of the world’s leading and fastest growing vertically integrated wild-shellfish harvesters.

2017

Added the Anne Risley to fleet

Clearwater welcomed the Anne Risley to its Canadian clam fleet, the most technologically advanced shellfish harvester in the world.

2019

Landmark Reconciliation Agreement

Clearwater reaches landmark agreement with Fourteen First Nations communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, forging a 50-year partnership that protects existing jobs in the Arctic Surf Clam fishery, while creating meaningful employment.

2020

Joint Venture with Quin-Sea Fisheries

Clearwater and Quin-Sea Fisheries enter into an agreement to form a new joint venture that will take over operations of the St. Anthony Seafoods shrimp processing plant in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador.

2021

Clearwater acquired by Premium Brands and Mi’kmaq First Nations’ Coalition in historic transaction

Premium Brands Holdings and Mi’kmaq First Nations Coalition complete the purchase of Clearwater. This strategic investment represents a transformational change in Canadian fisheries, catapulting First Nations into a leading global position in the seafood industry with the largest holdings of shellfish licenses and quotas in Canadian fisheries.

2023

Added the Atlantic Enterprise to the shrimp and turbot fleet

The Atlantic Enterprise is a Canadian factory trawler, specifically designed for catching and processing shrimp and turbot in Arctic waters. This business is a long-standing and successful partnership between Clearwater and Danish Ocean Prawns A/S.

2026

Clearwater proudly celebrates 50 years of sustainable seafood excellence

Clearwater will proudly celebrate its 50-year anniversary in 2026. This incredible milestone will be recognized through a variety of key initiatives, including a new logo to commemorate this special event that incorporates specific elements highlighting Clearwater’s rich history, corporate values, and Indigenous ownership.