Baffin Fisheries Expanding Operations in Nunavut

IQALUIT, NU, February 2, 2016 – A new executive team at Baffin Fisheries Coalition (Baffin Fisheries) is pleased to announce it has secured 100% ownership of all vessels and assets, and is expanding its administrative offices in Nunavut.

The announcement was made today by a newly appointed executive team of Jacopie Maniapik, President; Methusalah Kunuk, Vice President and; Leo Mucktar, Corporate Treasurer. The appointments were confirmed in December 2015 by the Board of Directors, which is composed of representatives from each of five Inuit community groups that jointly own Baffin Fisheries.

“This marks the beginning of a new era for Baffin Fisheries,” said President Jacopie Maniapik. “We are now able to fully manage our fleet and create new jobs and career opportunities in Nunavut.”

In addition to the three new executive positions based in Nunavut, Baffin Fisheries is expanding its Board of Directors, and creating new crew management, recruitment, and administrative positions in Nunavut communities.

“The first priority is to recruit more Nunavummiut to the fishing industry,” Maniapik said. “We need to educate our youth about the benefits of a career in this growing industry.”

Baffin Fisheries operates a fleet of four vessels, producing premium cold water turbot and shrimp from the waters around Baffin Island. The company exports fresh-frozen seafood products to markets around the world is involved in developing new inshore and offshore fisheries, and conducting scientific research regarding emerging fisheries.

“Our goal is to become the leading supplier of sustainable, premium cold water seafood products to markets around the world,” said Maniapik. “Inuit fishers and hunters have responsibly managed our adjacent fisheries for thousands of years, and we look forward to continuing this practice for the benefit of our people.”

Background

Baffin Fisheries is jointly owned by five Hunters and Trappers Associations (HTAs) in Nunavut:
Amarok HTA (Iqaluit), Pangnirtung HTA (Pangnirtung), Mayukalik HTA (Kimmirut), Mittimatalik HTA (Pond Inlet), and Namautaq HTA (Clyde River). Each HTA elects representatives to sit on the Board of Directors.

Fleet

Baffin Fisheries secured 100% Inuit ownership of its entire fleet in late 2015 by acquiring from its Icelandic partners all outstanding shares in Inuksuk Fisheries Ltd., which owns and operates the large factory freezer multi species trawler, the MV Inuksuk. This acquisition, combined with the September 17, 2015 acquisition of the 64-metre Arctic Shrimp Trawler, MV Sivulliq, positions Baffin Fisheries as the largest seafood harvesting company in Nunavut. Baffin Fisheries is 100% owner of two factory freezer, fixed-gear vessels and two large factory-freezer multi species trawlers.

Health, Safety and Environment Statement

Baffin Fisheries considers effective Health, Safety and Environmental (HS&E) Management to be of the utmost importance to its business. The objective of our company HS&E Program is to prevent all workplace accidents, injuries and illness, and to promote health, safety and the protection of the environment in every task undertaken by employees on behalf of the company.

Employee Development

Baffin Fisheries firmly believes that in addition to the revenue generated directly by the harvest of the resource, the training, recruitment, and employment of staff contributes an important benefit to local communities. It is the aim of Baffin Fisheries to have skilled Nunavummiut throughout all levels of operations.

For further information please contact:

Jacopie Maniapik, President and Chairman
Baffin Fisheries
867-979-3066

Chris Flanagan, Communications Consultant
Baffin Fisheries
709-726-6328, or 709-325-0679
[email protected]