Nov 30 2008
Consolidation in Lake Erie Commercial Fishing
Fishing in Michigan’s Lake Erie waters is pretty much completely recreational. Crews don’t offload a large catch. Fish are caught under small-scale DNR licenses. In Ontario, the situation is a bit different. There are a still a few small companies sending commercial boats onto the lake.
The following press release outlines a recent consolidation in this industry:
WHEATLEY, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 11/27/08 — Great Lakes Fish Corporation (”Great Lakes Fish”) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Kingsville Fishermen’s Company. With the acquisition, Great Lakes Fish has become one of the world’s largest freshwater fish processors.
Great Lakes Fish was established in 2007 when it acquired Omstead Foods (Fish Division) - established in 1911 - and Southpoint Foods’ operations.
Kingsville Fishermen’s Company was established in 1951 and has a long-standing reputation of supplying quality freshwater fish to Canadian and US-based food service providers.
“Kingsville Fishermen’s Company has a rich history of harvesting and processing freshwater fish for domestic and international customers,” said John Taylor, Great Lakes Fish President and CEO. “We are extremely proud of the acquisition and appreciative of the great team who built Kingsville Fishermen’s Company into one of the leading processors in Lake Erie.”
“It was important for our stakeholders and employees that Kingsville partner with a strong and viable market leader,” said Tim Tiessen, Kingsville Fishermen’s Company President. “Great Lakes Fish is a significant and historical part of the community. It was a pioneer in freshwater fish processing with an impeccable reputation.”
About Great Lakes Fish Corporation
Great Lakes Fish operates its processing facility in Wheatley, Ontario and is serviced by a fleet of specialized vessels, which operate year-round in Lake Erie, harvesting perch, smelt, pickerel, bass and other freshwater fish. Great Lakes Fish is the single largest owner of Lake Erie fish quota and also receives and processes fish from numerous independent fishermen. With the acquisition of Kingsville Fishermen’s Company, Great Lakes Fish has become one of the largest freshwater fish processors in the world. The combined company has nearly 200 employees and operates in many ports on the North Shore of Lake Erie including Wheatley, Kingsville, and Port Dover, Ontario.
I would like to make a model of a Kingsville fishing boat. Do you have any pictures of the Ray Mar Bev or John D that you could send to me?
jzimmer8@ameritech.net