Half-billion-dollar Clearwater deal officially goes through

HALIFAX — Seven Atlantic Canadian First Nations have become even bigger players in the fishing industry.

The half-billion-dollar sale of Clearwater at $8.25 per share to Premium Brands Holding Corporation and FNC Limited Partnership (representing Membertou, Miawpukek, Sipekne'katik, We'koqma'q, Potlotek, Pictou Landing and Paqtnkek) for the purchase of Clearwater Seafoods became official on Monday.

Under its terms, FNC Ltd., via a numbered company, will take full ownership of Clearwater's extensive fishing quotas.

Those total 48 million kilograms of surf clams, 3.9 million kilograms of offshore shrimp, 2.7 million kilograms of groundfish, 2.8 million kilograms of scallops, 720,000 kilograms of lobster and 270,000 kilograms of jonah crab.

“I was talking to (Membertou Chief Terry) Paul and I said, ‘I don't know why we're going after crumbs when we can buy the whole thing outright,” said Miawpukek Chief Misel Joe on Monday of the conversation that led to the Clearwater purchase.

Negotiations for the deal were led by Paul and Joe.

The $250 million to pay for their half of the purchase constituted the single biggest loan from the First Nation Financing Authority since its creation by Parliament in 2005.

The British Columbiabased First Nations-run nonprofit issues debentures to provide loans at competitive interest rates to First Nations for infrastructure and economic development projects.

Joe said the status quo will be maintained for management at Clearwater. In the longer term, however, he sees employment opportunities for his people.

With the new ownership, trading was to cease on Clearwater stock on Tuesday.