Media Releases

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OCI comments on Government’s response to proposals on yellowtail and redfish; says change in fishing industry still required

February 9, 2012

Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International (OCI), responded to Government’s decision on the company’s proposals to lift exemptions on the processing of yellowtail and redfish late today saying it’s unfortunate the two parties were unable to reach agreement.

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OCI sets the record straight on the export of fish species; says giveaways not on the table

January 17, 2012

Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International (OCI), today clarified information provided in recent days by the head of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW), Earle McCurdy, on the export of fish product from Newfoundland and Labrador.

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OCI defends credibility, outlines cooperation; seeks answer to proposals before government

January 9, 2012

Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International, said today his company has been very cooperative with the provincial government regarding the current proposals on flatfish and redfish, and he was disappointed to hear government make comments to the contrary late last week.

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OCI urging quick resolution to issues in fishery

January 6, 2012

Ocean Choice International remains committed to addressing required change in the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, its CEO, Martin Sullivan, said today. The company is deeply disappointed, however, in the provincial government’s public remarks today that call into question the company’s credibility as a significant employer in the fishing industry in the province.

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OCI provides government with plans for redfish and flatfish species: could see $750 million in NL economy in just 5 years

December 9, 2011

Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International (OCI), confirmed today that the provincial government is now in receipt of the company’s recommended plans for both redfish and flatfish.

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OCI engaging with Government, Union on support for worker adjustment program

December 5, 2011

Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International (OCI), said today the company will meet with Government later today to discuss a labour force adjustment program for the 410 employees affected by the company’s permanent closure of plants in Port Union and Marystown last week.

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OCI restructures its operation to remain competitive in global marketplace

December 2, 2011

Martin Sullivan, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International (OCI), today announced changes to the company’s operations in Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure a viable and competitive company for the future.

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Ocean Choice Files Defence And Counterclaim against PEI Government

October 12, 2011

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada - Ocean Choice PEI Inc., a company wholly owned by Ocean Choice International (OCI), today filed a defence and counterclaim with the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island

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Redfish harvest made economically viable under exemption

September 19, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Ocean Choice International (OCI) continues to utilize the exemption for the export of frozen-at-sea redfish, first granted to them in 2008 on the basis that it is uneconomic to process redfish to fillet form on shore. The economics of the situation remain unchanged today.

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OCI continues to seek collaboration for its flatfish business

July 18, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Martin Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Choice International (OCI) today announced that the Company, the Fishermen Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Government of Newfoundland met today to discuss the long-term viability of the flatfish business and OCI’s operations at Marystown.

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OCI and Town of Marytown Settle on Municipal Taxes

July 6, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NL—Martin Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Choice International (OCI), today announced that the Company and Town of Marystown have negotiated a settlement on all outstanding municipal taxes up to and including taxes for 2011.

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Ocean Choice International receives another MSC Certification

June 24, 2011

St. John’s, NL – Ocean Choice International (OCI), as a member of the Canadian Association of Prawn Producers, has received official notice that the Canadian offshore northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and striped shrimp (Pandalus montagui) fishery has completed the certification process and has been awarded the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for sustainably managed fisheries.

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Ocean Choice provides update on Port Union Facility

June 23, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Ocean Choice International (OCI) today announced that it will contribute to a fund in collaboration with the Provincial Government to assist the affected workers at its Port Union shrimp processing facility.

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Long-term viability of flatfish requires business model change

June 14, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Ocean Choice International (OCI) continues to seek collaboration from its employees, the FFAW, and government to arrive at a solution to the challenges faced in the flatfish business. The engagement of all stakeholders is critical in determining the way forward in the flatfish business in Newfoundland.

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Ocean Choice International seeks positive outcome for flatfish business

June 10, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Ocean Choice International (OCI) is looking for a way forward in a challenging flatfish business because they believe in it.

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Ocean Choice International's new brand invites customers to "See Food Differently"

March 17, 2011

Ocean Choice International (OCI) today launched a fresh new corporate brand focusing on the Company’s three pillars: customer service, product quality and sustainability. The new brand, logo, tagline - see food differently, and website aim to raise awareness of the company, its quality products and sustainable fishing practices.

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OCI Port Union Plant Will Not Re-Open for Upcoming Season

March 11, 2011

Ocean Choice International (OCI) announced today that its Port Union shrimp processing plant will not re-open this upcoming season after sustaining damages in excess of $10 million during Hurricane Igor in 2010.

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Agreement reached between Ocean Choice and FFAW for groundfish fleet

March 9, 2011

Ocean Choice International (OCI) and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) have reached a tentative agreement involving approximately 200 OCI ground fish fleet workers based out of Marystown. The agreement is for two years and offers improvements in both wages and benefits.

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Ocean Choice receives MSC Certification for Yellowtail Flounder

October 29, 2010

Ocean Choice International (OCI) has received official notice that the OCI Grand Bank yellowtail flounder fishery has completed the certification process and been awarded the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for sustainably managed fisheries.

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Ocean Choice International seeks reasonable labour agreement

April 30, 2010

Ocean Choice International’s CEO, Martin Sullivan says, “I am not surprised by the FFAW’s announcement that they are seeking a strike vote. We remain open to exploring creative solutions. It’s no secret that the fishing industry is facing challenges – market conditions, the Canadian dollar and the world wide recession are all factors adversely affecting the overall industry.”

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Ocean Choice International seeks reasonable labour agreement

April 20, 2010

Ocean Choice International and the FFAW today resumed contract negotiations with the assistance of a conciliator appointed by Government to review the positions of both parties to determine if there was any common ground to negotiate a settlement. Unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached and talks have broken off.

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Ocean Choice adds another MSC certified product to its portfolio

April 15, 2010

Ocean Choice International (Ocean Choice) recently received confirmation that their Wild Canadian Sea Scallop fishery has joined Canadian Coldwater Shrimp as MSC approved fisheries.

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Ocean Choice seeks reasonable labour agreement

February 18, 2010

Blaine Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Choice International (OCI), confirmed that the company and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) commenced negotiations this week.

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Ocean Choice seeking positive outcome for Marystown

February 11, 2010

Blaine Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Choice International, today affirmed the company is working with the provincial government, its employees and their union, in an effort to keep its Marystown fish processing operation viable for the ...

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Ocean Choice International Finalizes FPI Acquisition

December 20, 2007

After many months of negotiations, Ocean Choice International (OCI) is pleased to announce that it has finalized the agreement to acquire primary group assets of Fishery Products International (FPI) Limited ...

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Ocean Choice International Signs Definitive Agreement

August 24, 2007

Ocean Choice International Inc. announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase the Primary Group Assets of Fishery Products International, including all of the Newfoundland based primary processing plants and vessels ... 

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Ocean Choice International Pleased with Agreement

May 28, 2007

Ocean Choice International (OCI) stated today that it is very pleased that it has come to an agreement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the terms and conditions surrounding Ocean Choice’s purchase of FPI’s Primary Group Assets.

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Ocean Choice Pleased with Meeting with FFAW

May 3, 2007

Ocean Choice International Inc. is pleased to report that they had a very cooperative and cordial meeting with the FFAW this morning.

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