Clearwater Reinvests in Lunenburg Waterfront
Clearwater is relocating and expanding its operations on the Lunenburg waterfront.
The expansion includes merging the fleet management of shellfish harvesting activities in Canada and Argentina. Clearwater will also operate a research vessel from the port of Lunenburg.
Waterfront Development Corporation Limited signed an agreement with Clearwater for a building and land lease.
"The province is pleased that Clearwater Seafoods is increasing its presence on this historic waterfront," said Economic Development Minister Richard Hurlburt. "The growth of marine industries like Clearwater fits exactly with the vision the Town of Lunenburg has for the future of its working waterfront."
Clearwater will be located in the former Scotia Trawler office building at 250 Montague St. The premises will receive significant upgrades.
"Amalgamating the Clearwater fleet management in Lunenburg will strengthen the performance of the business," said Mike Pittman, vice-president Clearwater fleet operations. "We are pleased that Lunenburg has proven to be the logical location for Clearwater to locate this portion of the business. Clearwater has been supportive of Lunenburg for many years and looks forward to continuing being part of the community."
The agreement is the result of a public call for proposals for use of the property. The province is leasing the government-owned property and land at fair market value.
"The Lunenburg Waterfront Association Limited is very pleased to see this deal concluded with Clearwater," said association president Jim Eisenhauer. "Clearwater has been an important player on the Lunenburg waterfront and this reinvestment and growth is a welcome and positive step forward to revitalizing Lunenburg's working waterfront."
The Clearwater agreement is the fourth transaction in a series of agreements to maintain a working waterfront in Lunenburg. Previous agreements were signed with North Sails Atlantic, Sobeys and Lunar over the last two years. A business plan to guide the strategic development of the waterfront land was completed in 2006.
In August 2005, the province purchased a block of 17 waterfront properties in the town of Lunenburg in order to preserve 22 buildings, and to ensure continuation of a working waterfront in Lunenburg.
The Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd. is a provincial Crown corporation which has been planning, co-ordinating, promoting and developing properties, events and activities on designated waterfronts around Halifax Harbour for more than 30 years, and in Lunenburg since 2005.
The corporation, in co-operation with the Lunenburg Waterfront Association Limited, is managing the waterfront properties in Lunenburg on an interim basis.
Clearwater is recognized for its consistent quality, wide diversity and reliable delivery of premium seafood including scallops, lobster, clams, cold-water shrimp, crab and groundfish. Since its founding in 1976, Clearwater has invested in science, people, technology, resource ownership and resource management to preserve and grow its seafood resource. This commitment has allowed it to remain a leader in the global seafood industry.