Sealaska, the regional Alaska Native corporation whose food companies include Seattle-based Orca Bay Foods, has acquired London-based New England Seafood International Limited (NESI).
The combined seafood operations, as announced by Sealaska officials in Juneau, will focus on efficiently converting seafood from healthy fisheries around the world into nutritious products to inspire consumers to eat more healthy fish. The alliance, said Seaalaska officials, provides a unique platform from which to influence change and impact factors that matter most to the long-term health of the industry and Earth’s oceans.
“Enormous social, environmental and economic value is possible when strong, like-minded organizations join forces across the world to make a bigger difference,” said Terry Downes, chief operating officer of Sealaska. “Solving our most pressing problems requires working together with a global mindset.”
NESI’s chief executive officer, Dan Aherne, said NESI’s values and deep connection to Alaska strongly align with those of Sealaska.
“Both businesses share a clear vision around inspiring consumers to enjoy more seafood,” he said. “Both take a long-term, global view to enhancing lives and promoting a thriving planet.”
The acquisition calls for NESI founder Fred Stroyan to stay on as a member of NESI’s board of directors, and for key members of the company’s leadership team, including Aherne, to continue in their current roles.
