H&H Fisheries lobster processing plant location. (Image Credit: H&H Fisheries)
The Chinese seafood giant Zhangzidao Group has taken over an existing lobster plant in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia.
The Chinese investors plan to export between 2.3 to 4.5 million kilograms of lobster to China in the next year through its newly-created subsidiary, Capital Seafoods International, which will control the plant H&H Fisheries, CBC News informed.
Its plans also include the investment on new holding and processing facilities in the province.
"We will expand into other species, local species as well. For example, sea urchins, haddock, cod, halibut, to bring more value to the local community and the local resource," pointed out Jack Liu, the president of North American operations for the company.
Liu said later that the Chinese seafood company has confidence it can move as much quality lobster as can be shipped from Nova Scotia.
Besides the new Capital Seafood International venture at Eastern Passage, other lobster providers will be sourced around the province, but he said Eastern Passage will be the company’s operations base.
“We expect to be up to five or six shipments per week by November,” Liu stressed.
Officials with Zhangzidao Group said an expansion of the Eastern Passage lobster plant was to be expected in 2015 as the size and value of live lobster shipments continued to increase, Herald Business reported.
The company is keen to fill a good portion of its new 400-metric-tonne holding facility in Shanghai with Nova Scotia lobster.
Lobster season opened about a week ago in the Digby area, and the seasons open shortly in the southwest and South Shore areas of the province.
Reginald Hartlen, former president of H&H Fisheries, remains involved in the new business as general manager of Capital Seafood International.
“Our first shipment to China as Capital Seafood is scheduled for Thursday,” Hartlen announced.