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About Us

Clearwater Seafoods was founded in 1976 as a small, local lobster retailer in Nova Scotia. Over 40 years later, Clearwater has grown to become one of North America’s largest vertically-integrated seafood companies and is recognized globally for its superior quality, food safety, diversity of species and reliable worldwide delivery of premium seafood.

Since its founding, Clearwater has invested in science, communities, people and technological innovation, as well as resource management to sustain and grow its seafood resource. This commitment has allowed the company to remain a leader in today’s global seafood market and in sustainable seafood excellence.

In 2021, Clearwater was acquired by a partnership between Premium Brands and the Mi’kmaq Coalition, comprised of seven Mi’kmaq communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Today, Clearwater is proudly Indigenous-owned, committed to creating a sustainable seafood future for generations to come.

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.