2021-01-13

Mersey Seafoods Ltd. buys majority of Fisherman’s Market

by KEVIN MCBAIN

  • <p>FACEBOOK PHOTO, FISHERMAN&#8217;S MARKET</p><p>Mersey Seafoods Ltd., based in Liverpool, recently acquired 75 per cent of the Fisherman&#8217;s Market company based in Halifax.</p>

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Liverpool's long-standing Mersey Seafoods Ltd. has purchased a 75 per cent share of Fisherman's Market International Inc., which is based in Halifax.

"Owners Monte, Fred and his team are just a great group of people and it is a company that shares the same values that we do and that's why we view them as great partners," said Greg Simpson, president of Mersey Seafoods. "We want these companies to stay Nova Scotia owned and privately owned, and we hope this acquisition sends a nice signal to our employees, and the community, that we are here for the future and committed to the communities that we do business in," he added.

Mersey Seafoods was founded by the late dentist Dr. Bill Murphy in 1964. The company has four large vessels harvesting mainly shrimp, scallops, and groundfish.

The company owns a fleet of four fishing vessels, two over 100 feet and two over 200 feet in length. Three of these vessels have frozen-at-sea capability and two of them were recently rebuilt.

The deal won't change the businesses much, according to Simpson, other than presenting the opportunity to fish from the Fisherman's Market quotas and market some of its products through their distribution channels.

In business since 1948, Fisherman's Market is a wholesaler, retailer and exporter of fresh, frozen, smoked and salted seafood, as well as live and frozen Atlantic lobster. The two companies have worked hand-in-hand for years.

Fred Green, nephew of the founder of Fisherman's Market, has been an owner of the Halifax company for more than 60 years. He remains as a consultant for the next three years to help with the transition. Now 81, Green has been looking to retire and sell his share in the company.

Monte Snow, general manager and partner of Fisherman's Market for nearly 30 years, will retain a 25 per cent share in the company.

"Fred was instrumental in guiding Fisherman's Market from a little fish market on the Halifax waterfront into a thriving international seafood company with over 150 employees, several locations throughout Nova Scotia, and recognition across the globe," said Snow in an email.

"Fred and I were very conscious of finding a new partner for the business that would be the right fit to ensure the continued success of Fisherman's Market."

"Fisherman's Market partnership with Mersey Seafoods will ensure that the financial strength and reputation that Fisherman's Market has maintained to date, continues for many years to come," said Snow, adding that the deal creates "one of the largest, privately-owned seafood companies in Atlantic Canada, with significant quota, licenses, vessels and facilities throughout the province."

Meanwhile, Mersey Seafoods has been going from strength to strength.

In 2019 it completed a new, 20,000 square foot facility in Liverpool and acquired interest in Scotia Harvest Inc. in Digby.

Prior to joining Mersey Seafoods, in 2012 Scotia Harvest purchased another well-known name in the seafood industry, O'Neil Fisheries, bringing on board its quota for scallop and groundfish, as well as its processing plant and vessels.

While Scotia Harvest, which sells seafood under the Royal Fundy brand, itself continues to grow. It's now in the final stages of building its own new 40,000-square-foot facility.

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