Our Oceans. Our Future.

Every year, on June 8, we celebrate World Oceans Day.

It’s a day to recognize everything our oceans provides. But it’s also a call to action, demanding that we protect and preserve our world’s marine environments.

The North Atlantic has gifted us with some of the best fish in the entire world. For more than 20 years, it has been the foundation of Ocean Choice International, driving our values, our actions. and our business.

World Oceans Day is our annual reminder that our oceans sustain us in so many ways, and that we must do our part to protect and sustain them in return. But this is not something that we can do once a year. It is an everyday commitment that we hold close to our hearts.

The ocean shapes everything around us: our history, our communities, our families, our planet, our commitments and – most importantly – our future.

That’s why our oceans mean the world to us.

Our History

Ocean Choice started as a family-run seafood business by two brothers from the southern shores of Newfoundland and Labrador more than two decades ago – and we’re still proudly family-owned and operated today.

We have always done the right thing for our environment – protecting and sustaining our oceans has shaped our business. We’re proud that our legacy of responsibility has now grown into global leadership when it comes to industry sustainability.

Almost 25 years later, we’re still here because of our oceans. Our history has been shaped by our commitment to our oceans and environment. With each decision, we have built Ocean Choice into a world leader in sustainability, and we’ll continue to deliver on this proud tradition every day.

Our Communities

Ocean Choice is a proud Newfoundland and Labrador company, directly employing over 1,500 people.

Many of these employees live and work in rural, coastal communities across our operating areas. These communities have been sustained by our oceans for generations, and we are proud to support their futures.

Healthy oceans and sustainably managed seafood stocks provide jobs and economic benefits that our communities rely on. A strong, sustainable fishery makes it possible for our employees to live, work, and thrive here with their families and neighbours. Ocean Choice is here for them, their children and grandchildren and the communities we call home.

Our Families

We know first-hand how the North Atlantic can shape and sustain families.

Family is at the core of Ocean Choice. Owners Martin and Blaine Sullivan grew up in a rural fishing community on the southern shores of Newfoundland, watching their father provide for the family as a career small boat fisher.

That family tradition carries on. Today, we proudly support families in towns and cities across Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.  In addition to 1,500+ employees worldwide, we also partner with 1,900 independent harvesters. These skilled jobs, sustained by our oceans, are helping to build and provide for families.

As we celebrate World Oceans Day, we renew our commitment to taking action every day to ensure the families that rely on us will benefit and thrive for generations to come.

Our Planet

Doing what’s right for our planet is the mindset that has guided us every day for nearly 25 years. If it can’t be done sustainably, we don’t do it – and we never will.

We cannot operate without a healthy ocean. That’s why we invest in research, technology and innovation that puts the environment first. We’re reducing our carbon emissions, minimizing our harvesting footprint and supporting industry-leading fisheries management studies.

The MV Calvert is just one example of these investments. As Canada’s first Green Class offshore groundfish vessel, the Calvert features the latest in harvesting and processing technologies that reduce its carbon footprint while ensuring the yellowtail flounder, redfish and other groundfish species are sustainably harvested for markets around the world.

We’re also investing in data science and artificial intelligence to improve fishing sustainability and efficiency. Using predictive mapping, we’ll reduce carbon emissions and by-catch, protecting stocks and the environment.

In June 2024, we became the first fishing company to receive the Green Marine certification. Green Marine is North America’s leading environmental certification program for the maritime industry, and participants are required to demonstrate continual and measurable action on environmental issues related to biodiversity, air protection, water and soil quality, and community relations.

Learn more about our commitment to environmental sustainability at OceanChoice.com/sustainability.

Our Commitments

Our commitment to ocean conservation is the bedrock of our business.  We work tirelessly with government, research scientists, and other stakeholders to help conserve and grow the seafood resources that sustain us.

When you choose Ocean Choice, you are choosing sustainably harvested products. Approximately, 90% of the seafood we harvest is sustainably certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (the global gold standard for certification) or under a robust Fisheries Improvement Project.

This year, we will table an environment, social and governance (ESG) strategy that will define our future priorities, ensuring our business remains in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. It will outline our commitment to putting sustainability, community and our planet first in everything that we do.

Our oceans are also crucial to feeding our friends and neighbours and combating food insecurity in our communities.

Each Friday, we deliver fish to feed Guests at The Gathering Place, a St. John’s-based community service provider. We’re proud to offer a consistent supply of locally harvested healthy protein that can support the health and wellness of marginalized people living in the area. The work that staff and volunteers do is crucial, and we’re grateful that our team – and our oceans – are able to support these efforts.

Our Future

Protecting the ocean is key to protecting our future.

At the end of each day, we remember that we are responsible for delivering one of the last sources of wild protein to the world.  Ocean Choice will continue to invest and take action to minimize our environmental impact and show our appreciation to the oceans for all they give us.

When we take care of our oceans, the oceans provide for us. It is up to us to ensure the benefits are available today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.