Icewater Seafoods processes northern cod from offshore N.L. for the first time in 32 years

For over three decades, Icewater Seafood's Arnolds Cove fish plant has relied heavily on cod from other countries to keep itself going year round.

But on Feb 24, 2025, the plant processed its first N.L. offshore cod since the moratorium in 1992. 

Plant workers were thrilled this week to be processing local cod. Not only did it mean they get to work with what they say is higher quality fish, but it means more money will be coming their way. 

Janet Hynes has been at the plant for 38 years, and remembers the day operations shut down due to the moratorium. 

"We were devastated," said Hynes. "We didn't really know what was going to happen at that time." 

On Monday morning, she said workers were excited to come in and process cod from offshore Newfoundland, after over 30 years of not being able to do so. 

"It was amazing," she said, adding that the northern fish is better quality. 

Worker Brenda King said the plant was filled with positive energy that week, and that she "can't wait for more money to go into bank accounts."

Over the past 32 years, quality control coordinator Brenda Hickey, said she never gave up hope. 

"I was thinking this is going to come back … and it did. We're super excited," she said. 

Best cod since 1993

Over the past 32 years, a significant part of the plant's business has been processing fish from Norway and Russia, said president Alberto Wareham.  

Having to import fish hasn't been easy for the plant, he said. After the moratorium ended, they had to find European markets that would pay a premium for their high quality cod. 

Now that the moratorium has ended, Wareham hopes to get 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of cod through the plant, which is enough to keep the plant going for 10 to 12 full work weeks. 

Having Newfoundland offshore cod back in the plant was a huge moment for the company, said Wareham. "Some of the fish were swimming two weeks ago and we're producing it now." 

"It's great, excellent quality. It's the best frozen sea cod we put through this plant since 1993," said Wareham. 

Wareham always hoped he would reach this moment, and now he's hoping the cod stock will increase and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will be able to up the quota again this year. 

"That's what we need," said Wareham. "The inshore fisherman need more cod to catch so they can invest in boats." 

Sustainability and flexibility

Wareham said he also knows how important it is to have a sustainable cod stock. 

"I mean, our customers require us to have a sustainable cod stock. They're not going to buy from us just because it's a Canadian cod if it doesn't meet your sustainability requirements," he said.

"We want this for many generations in the future."

Icewater Seafoods also ships cod to the United States, but now that President Donald Trump is saying he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods next Tuesday, Wareham says there is a chance they'll have to pivot. 

WATCH | These plant workers say they've been waiting for this day for a long time:

Canadian cod is back on the belt at the Arnold’s Cove fish plant

3 hours ago

Duration 2:44

Icewater Seafoods is celebrating a historic week. For the first time since the moratorium of 1992, the plant is processing offshore northern cod. Workers tell the CBC’s Gavin Simms ‘the mood is phenomenal.’

Wareham says about 30 to 40 per cent of their production is scheduled to go to the United States.

"Our customers can't pay 25 per cent more," he said. "We're going to have the likely stop producing for the USA and switch to producing primarily for Europe."

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