ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Quin-Sea Fisheries, a division of Royal Greenland, officially opened its live lobster facility in New Habour last week, nine months after breaking ground at the site.
The facility is the first of its kind in the province and will position the company to provide live Newfoundland and Labrador lobster to global markets year-round.
A news release states that, as part of its strategy, Quin-Sea has initiated several successful international air shipments to target markets, including China, with sales to Europe starting in the coming weeks.
“Through significant investment by the company, new opportunities are being created to add value to the Newfoundland lobster,” said Simon Jarding, managing director of Quin-Sea Fisheries.
“New employment is being created in regions where it is needed."
The release states the facility is expected to boost the local economy, with 20 positions already created and more expected through associated spin-off activities.
The facility includes advanced technologies designed to maximize the quality of live lobster.
“Our emphasis on the technological solution we chose has been to ensure we become a preferred quality supplier when bringing the larger and hard-shelled Newfoundland lobster to the marketplace,” Jarding said. “Our solution is for the future.”
Gerry Byrne, minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, said the company’s approach will put the province on the seafood market map.
“We are normally market takers and not market makers, and often price takers, not price makers,” Byrne said. “What this enables us to do is to be able to market the product at times when it is most lucrative to do so outside the traditional lobster season, and create a truly Newfoundland brand of lobster.”
