Saving Seafood

Scallop Industry Legend will be Dearly Missed

August 22, 2024 – The following was released by Seatrade International – East Coast Seafood:

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ross Paasche, a cherished member of our team for over 20 years. He was not only a dedicated and exceptional employee but also a beloved friend and mentor to many. Ross’ unwavering commitment, kindness, and humor left an indelible mark on our Company and the lives of those who had the privilege to work alongside him. Our hearts go out to his family, and we will forever honor his legacy through the values he embodied. Ross, you will be greatly missed, rest in peace.

– Bob Blais, Friend and CEO

MAINE: American Aquafarms buys shuttered Gouldsboro seafood processing plant

May 3, 2022 — American Aquafarms has purchased a former sardine cannery in Gouldsboro, indicating the company will likely continue to pursue a salmon farm in Frenchman Bay after being dealt a major permitting setback last month.

The sale of the Maine Fair Trade Lobster plant from East Coast Seafood to American Aquafarms closed Friday, according to East Coast Seafood CEO Bob Blais. American Aquafarms has said that it plans to use the 11-acre property in the village of Prospect Harbor for a hatchery and processing facility.

Thomas Brennan, American Aquafarms director of project development, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. On Friday, he said knew the company was heading in the direction of a sale, but didn’t have a firm closing date.

“It’s going to happen,” Brennan said. “It’s just a question of when.”

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News

Salmon’s rise, shrimp’s stagnancy, growing consolidation reshape seafood’s top 100

January 22, 2020 — The movements in this year’s edition of our World’s 100 Largest Seafood Companies report reflect some key trends that shaped the industry last year.

Salmon farmers, particularly those in Chile, and several key multi-species consolidators such as Canada’s Cooke and Parlevliet & Van der Plas (P&P) of The Netherlands had a strong year.

2019 wasn’t as fortunate for several other sub-sectors in the seafood business such as shrimp suppliers, and Japanese-based distributors and wholesalers that face the challenge of difficult population demographics.

This year’s list also features six companies that are newcomers to our ranking: Spanish tuna processing and catching group Atunes y Lomos, Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan, US lobster and scallops supplier East Coast Seafood, processors Iceland Seafood International and Seachill UK — which made past rankings under its past incarnation Icelandic Group — and Spanish fishing firm Grupo Iberica de Congelados, which is better known by its abbreviation, Iberconsa.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

East Coast Seafood, St. James Smokehouse win 2019 Seafood Excellence Awards

March 18, 2019 — East Coast Seafood won the 2019 “Best New Foodservice” Seafood Excellence Award for its Lobster Macaroni & Cheese Bites, and St. James Smokehouse was awarded the “Best New Retail” prize for its Saint Pure Salmon at Seafood Expo North America on Sunday, 17 March.

Topsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based East Coast Seafood is the world’s largest distributor of live and frozen North American lobster. Its Lobster Macaroni & Cheese Bites, designed for the foodservice industry, are a creamy mixture of macaroni and a blend of parmesan, asiago, and mozzarella cheeses, within a crunchy golden-brown coating. The appetizers are produced without preservatives or artificial flavors and are designed to be deep-fried at the restaurant level.

“It was a complete surprise, we’re extremely excited about it and proud,” East Coast Seafood Vice President of Marketing Garrett Digney told SeafoodSource. “It’s been a great team effort for the item, and we’re extremely happy.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source