by Jennifer Dart
The Westerly News
Dec. 21, 2005
A "unique investment consortium" that hopes to make more fish
available locally has purchased Tofino's Trilogy Fish Company.
A group of local residents, First Nations, outside investors and the non-profit community development organization Ecotrust are the new shareholders in the fish company, which was started by Tofino mayor John Fraser and his wife Donna in 1999.
"Currently almost all of the seafood harvested and produced in Clayoquot Sound leaves the region," states a Dec. 19 press release from Ecotrust. "Local fishermen and shellfish growers often receive rock-bottom prices for their harvests with no opportunity to do local value-added procesing, branding and marketing. Trilogy Fish Co. hopes to change this.
Under the Frasers, Trilogy was the only local facility specializing in processing and smoking salmon caught by sports fishermen, as well as retail products and a small wholesale business to local restaurants.
Brenda Kuecks of the Tofino branch of Ecotrust says the new group of owners would like to continue processing, but expand the operation to include more types of local fish.
"Our intention is to be open 12 months of the year and have more products available like shellfish, gooseneck barnacles and halibut," said Kuecks who agreed availability of local seafood is lacking in the area.
Kuecks also said an important mandate of the new board of directors will be public education, to provide a link to harvesters.
Josie Osborne is one of the Tofino shareholders and board members, and she echoed the hope that people will even "know the name of the fishermen" who cought the fish they eat, and ultimately have a "better understanding of where their food comes from."
"Being able to get fresh fish for locals and tourists is really important," said Osborne.
"And it's a great way to support local fishermen and aquaculturists."
"Tofino has traditionally been a fishing village. We want to create sustainable quality seafood brands that reflect Clayoquot Sound's cultural heritage, and keep fisheries as part of a local, diversified economy," said Kuecks.
Both Osborne and Kuecks said an expansion of the 1,465 square foot facility adjacent to the Days Inn Weigh West Marine Resort is in future plans.
John Gilmour, a former plant manager from Port Hardy, has been hired to run the facility and he is also a shareholder.
"I look forward to meeting customers and will strive to continue producing high quality seafood products for the West Coast communities," said Gilmour.
Kuecks said Ecotrust's role included bringing the parties together and financing the venture jointly with Vancity Capital.
Ecotrust's mandate is to "build the conservation economy," and will remain a shareholder along with eight local residents, four outside investors from BC and Alberta, and the Hesquiaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations.
Ecotrust currently holds three shares, two of which it will divest to other local investors.
The new shareholders
held an open house at the Weigh West Dec. 20 to discuss the venture with
interested parties.
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