Ocean Choice sells Port au Choix shrimp processing facility to Barry Group sustaining employment and operations of the plant

July 17, 2023

St. John’s, NL – July 17, 2023:  Today, Ocean Choice and the Barry Group of Companies announced the sale of Ocean Choice’s Port au Choix shrimp processing facility to the Barry Group. Barry Group will commence operation of the Port aux Choix plant this month, with plans to operate the plant for the season – sustaining employment and operations in the region.

Shrimp quotas and catch rates continue to be in decline in the Gulf and the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland region; and there continues to be a further forecasted decline in the shrimp biomass. Since Ocean Choice started operating the Port au Choix facility in 2007, there has been over a 150-million-pound decline in quota available for processing.

Due to the declining resource, the shrimp industry has to consolidate, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to have any long-term sustainable operations. “While this is a difficult decision, we know it is the best decision for the company, our people and the community, and we are confident that Barry Group will continue to operate the plant for many years to come,” says Martin Sullivan, CEO, Ocean Choice.

The growth of the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, providing stable employment and supporting sustainable communities are key priorities for Ocean Choice; and sometimes this means making difficult decisions such as selling the plant in Port au Choix.

“The people working at the plant, the shrimp harvesters in the area, and the town council and staff are among the best that we have had the opportunity to work with,” adds Sullivan. “Their drive and commitment to create a thriving, sustainable fishery will be missed, but we know they are in good hands with the Barry Group – a family-owned company that believes in an economically sustainable fishery for harvesters, processors and communities.”

“We are pleased to expand our operations to the community of Port au Choix,” said Bill Barry, Chairman, Barry Group of Companies. “Our business is based on the west coast of the province, so it makes sense for us to expand into the area. We look forward to working with the employees and the community to grow the operations for years to come.”

The Port au Choix processing facility processes cooked and peeled shrimp destined for markets around the world. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary approvals for transactions of this nature.

About Ocean Choice
Ocean Choice is a family-owned and operated Newfoundland and Labrador company that employs over 1,700 people from over 300 communities throughout the province. Ocean Choice operates five fish processing plants and five offshore fishing vessels, and it sources seafood from over 1,900 independent fish harvesters from across the province. For further information visit: www.oceanchoice.com.

About the Barry Group
Barry Group Inc. is a vertically integrated, fourth generation family company. Since the 1830’s, this family business has exported top quality, wild seafood around the world. Today, the Barry family is proud to carry on that early tradition of sourcing premium seafood from the rich Canadian fishing grounds. While fishing methods and innovation have changed, our family company maintains the original 19th century work ethic it was built on, while integrating 21st century technology.

Media Contacts:
Cara Pike
Director of Marketing and Communications
Ocean Choice International
cpike@oceanchoice.com

Bill Barry
Chairman
Barry Group Inc.
bbarry@barrygroupinc.com

News Release – Ocean Choice sells Port au Choix Plant to Barry Group