Latest news with #PacificSeafood
National Observer
03-07-2025
- Health
- National Observer
Ucluelet Harbour Seafood fined $25,000 for polluting Barkley Sound
A seafood processing company in Ucluelet, BC, has been slapped with $25,000 in fines for repeatedly pumping harmful contaminants like ammonia, oil, grease and other fish offal well above permitted levels into the ocean over a two-year period. The violations by Ucluelet Harbour Seafood (UHS) — owned by the large, US-based Pacific Seafood Group — are a 'major contravention' with a mix of pollutants significantly above discharge limits in 33 instances between May 2023 and August 2024, said the BC Ministry of Environment decision. In 28 of those instances, UHS's wastewater pollutants exceeded allowed limits by more than 50 per cent, Kelly Mills, compliance section head, noted in the decision. The top-end wastewater sample for toxic ammonia exceeded the allowable limit by 4,600 per cent. The highest sample test for fish offal and remains in wastewater exceeded the limit by 3,000 per cent. The highest fish oil and grease water sample reached a staggering 17,150 per cent above permitted amounts. Ammonia can be toxic and harm aquatic life, especially invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, shellfish and zooplankton. Oil and grease can cause respiratory harm to marine mammals, like whales or sea lions and fish, as a result of damaged gills. High levels of fish waste solids can smother eggs and seabed animals, and deplete oxygen in the water, the decision said. The wastewater from the seafood processing plant is discharged in Barkley Sound — potential habitat for numerous at-risk species, including endangered killer whales, basking sharks, leatherback sea turtles and northern abalone, Mills said. Other animals of concern include humpback and grey whales, Stellar sea lions, yellowed and rougheye rockfish, and bluntnose, tope, or six gill sharks. Mills found the violations posed a 'moderate' potential threat to the environment, while UHS argued to the ministry prior to the final decision that the discharges posed little or no threat to the marine environment. A BC processing plant hit with a $25,000 penalty belongs to US parent company Pacific Seafood that has a string of wastewater violations along the West Coast. However, the violations themselves were categorized as a serious compliance issue because they could result in 'an actual significant impact or very serious threat to the environment or to human health,' Mills said. The company was also penalized for a lesser violation of failing to monitor the daily volume of wastewater it was releasing for three stretches involving 134 days between March and October 2023. In a statement attributed to Amy Wentworth, Pacific Seafood's senior director of environmental health, the company said it has made infrastructure improvements and procedure changes to fix the problems. 'We have made significant improvements at our UHS facility to strengthen environmental performance, including better dock procedures to reduce lost product, new water systems that speed up solids removal, and upgraded wastewater treatment that prevents overflows and improves efficiency,' Wentworth wrote. 'These upgrades have already reduced our levels, especially of the most concentrated organics, and will help prevent future exceedances. While we do not agree with all aspects of the penalties issued, and are in the process of appealing the fine, we remain committed to ongoing improvements. We've engaged outside engineering experts to support our continued efforts to lower our organics levels from fish processing.' Tide of wastewater violations The contraventions by UHS mirror a similar series of discharge violations and penalties incurred by its parent company, the Pacific Seafood Group at its US operations in Washington, Oregon and California for exceeding contaminant levels, releasing untreated effluents and waste, such as gloves, labels and shell fragments, into waterways. The family-owned company is based in Oregon and runs 40 facilities across the US, Canada and Chile. Pacific Seafood has been cited for repeated violations in the US. The company is currently facing the threat of combined fines totalling US $250,800 after the company's Westport plant repeatedly flushed polluted wastewater into Half Moon Bay in Washington, and its Brookings Harbour facility in Oregon contravened wastewater quality and monitoring requirements. Pacific Seafoods is appealing the proposed Westport site fine of $222,000 at a hearing set for mid-July. The latest contraventions follow significant violations and penalties issued at the Westport site in 2022 and 2020. Washington authorities have expressed frustration with Pacific Seafoods' repeated violations. 'It's unacceptable that this facility is continuing to pollute Half Moon Bay after repeated citations and technical assistance,' said Vince McGowan, water quality program manager for the State of Washington Department of Ecology, in a press release last June. 'The majority of similar companies in the industry are able to meet permit requirements. The bottom line is that we need this facility to comply with their permit and stop polluting Half Moon Bay. This includes making any needed upgrades to their wastewater treatment system to fix the problem.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacific Seafood plans EU expansion as first office lands in Europe
Pacific Seafood, a US-based fishing to processing and distribution business, has opened its first office in Europe as a 'gateway' for EU expansion. The family-owned business, headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, has established its presence in Hamburg, Germany, with the new office to be led by Stephan Kleemeyer, according to a statement. Kleemeyer is an experienced seafood industry executive whose most recent posting was as managing director for the European operations of Trident Seafoods, where he oversaw the company's Pickenpack business in Riepe, Germany. Ashton Meier, the vice president of processing for Pacific Seafood, confirmed with Just Food that the company currently supplies the retail and foodservice channels in the EU. 'Establishing a physical presence in Europe allows us to better support these customers and continue building long-term partnerships.' He added: 'While this is Pacific Seafood's first European location, we are actively exploring opportunities to further invest in vertically integrated fishing, processing, and distribution businesses. 'These investments will strengthen our footprint and enhance the value proposition and diverse product mix we offer to both customers and consumers.' Pacific Seafood's product range includes wild whitefish, coldwater shrimp, salmon and 'aquaculture products such as steelhead and oysters', along with an added-value offering, Meier said. Kleemeyer will head up business development across the EU and will seek to 'strengthen partnerships with existing customers and identify growth opportunities', according to the statement. 'Establishing a permanent presence in Europe is a bold but natural next step in our expanding global footprint,' Meier said in the statement. 'Stephan brings deep experience and strong relationships in the region, and we're confident he will help us deliver even greater value to our European partners.' Pacific Seafood was set up in 1941 by Frank Dulcich. It manages all parts of the supply chain from harvesting to fishing, processing and distribution. The business has launched its so-called Mission 31 strategic initiative to expand the company's operations within a timeframe to 2031, with Europe now playing a part in that endeavour. Pacific Seafood said the project was launched last year and has already resulted in undisclosed and unspecified investments in Alaska and Florida. Late last year, Pacific Seafood acquired the processing assets of Trident Seafoods in Kodiak, Alaska, including three plants. The Kodiak operations are engaged in the processing of a varied assortment of seafood, encompassing halibut, flatfish, rockfish, crab, herring, pollock, salmon and Pacific cod. "Pacific Seafood plans EU expansion as first office lands in Europe" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacific Seafood Announces First European Business Office
Office located near Hamburg, Germany to be led by industry veteran Stephan Kleemeyer CLACKAMAS, Ore., April 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Pacific Seafood announced the opening of its first European Business Office located near Hamburg, Germany, one of Europe's leading logistics and cold chain hubs. The office will serve as a gateway for expanding the company's presence in key EU markets. Pacific Seafood is uniquely positioned to meet the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable protein across Europe. The company offers a vertically integrated supply chain, providing customers with reliable, direct-from-the-source access to wild species such as whitefish, coldwater shrimp, and salmon, as well as aquaculture products like steelhead and oysters. Pacific also offers a variety of value-added products and custom sourcing solutions. The new office will be led by Stephan Kleemeyer, a seafood industry veteran with decades of experience in the European market. Kleemeyer most recently served as Managing Director of European Business Operations for Trident Seafoods, where he oversaw operations of Pickenpack in Riepe, Germany. As the head of Pacific Seafood's European Business Office, Kleemeyer will lead business development efforts across the EU, strengthen partnerships with existing customers, and identify growth opportunities for Pacific Seafood's diverse and integrated product offerings. "Establishing a permanent presence in Europe is a bold, but natural next step in our expanding global footprint," said Ashton Meier, Vice President of Processing at Pacific Seafood. "Stephan brings deep experience and strong relationships in the region, and we're confident he will help us deliver even greater value to our European partners." The expansion supports Mission 31, Pacific Seafood's strategic initiative to double in size by 2031. Since launching the initiative in 2024, the company has made key investments in Alaska, Florida, and now Europe. The entire Pacific Seafood European sales team will be available at Booth 5B301 during Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona. Current and prospective partners are encouraged to stop by to explore upcoming opportunities and discuss how Pacific can support their sourcing needs. About Pacific Seafood: Founded in 1941 by Frank Dulcich, Pacific Seafood remains a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing the healthiest protein on the planet. Pacific Seafood manages all parts of the supply chain from harvesting/fishing, processing, and distribution to provide customers with fresh, sustainable, and high-quality products. Pacific Seafood Group is headquartered in Clackamas, Ore. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Lacy Ogan, Pacific Seafoodlogan@ Phone: (503) 905-4277 Sign in to access your portfolio
