Lobsters ‘R’ Us expands Cape Breton live seafood capacity
May 22, 2015 – Little Harbour, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
With so much live seafood coming onto the market at once during harvesting times, the challenge for suppliers becomes one of balancing supply with demand. Recognizing that creativity is the key to success, Blaire Martell of Lobsters ‘R’ Us has always embraced each new challenge of the ever-changing fishing industry with a creative mindset. For Blaire, the challenge posed by the glut which floods the market each summer and slows demand, was no different. There simply had to be a way to engage modern technology to keep daily catches fresher, longer and better satisfy off-season demand.
As company president, Blaire sat down in 2012 to design a solution. The result, an energy efficient three-room, live seafood storage facility in the community of L’Ardoise capable of holding up to 650,000 pounds of lobster and snow crab for up to 150 days.
Today, the Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, announced they will provide a $500,000 repayable contribution to Lobsters ‘R’ Us as they work to further expand their state-of-the-art lobster holding facility to accommodate up to 1,000,000 pounds. Incorporating energy efficiency and climate control, this modern facility will create conditions to allow Lobsters ‘R’ Us to adapt easily to future market ebbs and flows.
In the seafood storage areas, the system maintains a constant 2°C shower of biofiltered water over stacked keeper boxes and submerged trays, each loaded with 50 pounds of lobster. The low water temperature helps to keep the crustaceans dormant. Snow crab can be maintained in the same way. Storage in a climate-controlled environment prolongs their sell-by date, giving their market value time to rise.
Given what they have achieved to date, there seems little doubt that Lobsters ‘R’ Us will continue to deliver the fresh flavours of Cape Breton to dining room tables both near and far for many generations to come.
Quick Facts:
- Lobsters ‘R’ Us Seafood is located in Little Harbour, a small fishing village located in Lower L’Ardoise, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The company provides fourteen full-time and sixty-five seasonal jobs in a rural area of the province.
- The facility grades and stores lobster and snow crab, purchased locally from local fishers based in communities from Port Hawkesbury to Louisbourg.
- Touted as one of Atlantic Canada’s most energy-efficient seafood plants, with its state-of-the-art, registered, modern storage and marine processing facility, Lobsters ‘R’ Us has the unique ability to trace products from boat to shipment.
- Lobsters ‘R’ Us’ owner, Blaire Martell, has indicated that emerging Chinese and European markets have developed a strong appetite for the company’s products.
Quotes:
“In our region, the fishing industry is part of the fabric of daily life, and as such, plays a significant role in the area’s economy. Our Government is pleased to support forward-thinking businesses like Lobsters ‘R’ Us as they build on their strengths to create jobs and economic opportunities for Atlantic Canadians.”
- Senator Michael L. MacDonald, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“With the support of the Government of Canada Lobsters ‘R’ Us was able to build an energy-efficient live storage system which has resulted in lower operating costs, higher prices for local catches and a better economic outlook for our communities.”
- Blaire Martell, Owner, Lobsters ‘R’ Us
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Blaire Martell
Owner, Lobsters ‘R’ Us Seafood
902-587-2202
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417/902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
