Tag Archives: Blaine Sullivan
Sea Cucumber: Ocean Choice International in St. Lawrence highlighted during Innovation Day
It’s not the kind of cucumber you’d put in a green salad. But the slimy-looking sea creature is the type of thing that finds its way to the Asian dinner plate; sold at pricey restaurant as a delicacy, the dried product is often rehydrated to be used in rice salads and/or soups. Production of sea cucumber has allowed the plant to extend its production season. And that’s meant jobs for over 100 people at the Ocean Choice International (OCI) plant in St. Lawrence. Production of sea cucumber has allowed the plant to extend its production season.,, “The inshore vessels have gotten so much better, the product quality that has been coming from the inshore sector over the last two decades is improved immensely, snow crab, shrimp, sea cucumbers,”Blaine Sullivan says. “When I started in the business Canada, and Newfoundland, was not renowned for quality (in seafood) but it is today. There’s been a big change and that’s something this industry should be proud of, and should talk more about.” >click to read<19:13
Shelving shrimp: Inside Katsheshuk II, OCI’s $8-million bet on groundfish
For years the Katsheshuk II hauled in shrimp off the shores of Newfoundland. The ship caught, processed and froze the shrimp to be sent to customers. But shrimp stocks have shrunk, leaving Ocean Choice International with too many boats for too small a quota, so the company is spending $8 million to convert the ship. “The shellfish resources are declining but in general, some exceptions, groundfish is increasing,” says Blaine Sullivan, the chief operating officer for OCI. The Katsheshuk II is being overhauled so it can start fishing for groundfish. The industry is hoping for the eventual return of cod, but in the near future it will be other species. click here to read the story 13:57
