Cooke Seafood acquires former AquaBounty facilities on Prince Edward Island.
Cooke Aquaculture’s Atlantic Canadian division, Kelly Cove Salmon (KCS), has acquired the former AquaBounty Canada facilities on Prince Edward Island, following the collapse of the genetically engineered salmon producer due to financial difficulties.
The deal includes four facilities, including a state-of-the-art egg incubation site and high-tech laboratory in Bay Fortune, as well as a modern recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in Rollo Bay. A second RAS unit, left unfinished by AquaBounty, will also be completed by KCS. The company intends to use the sites for the production of large smolts to supply its ocean-based salmon farms across Atlantic Canada.
Cooke emphasized that it does not produce or sell genetically engineered seafood and will maintain full traceability for all of its products.
“Our freshwater science and fish health team will take the necessary time to thoroughly assess the capabilities of these newly acquired R&D and fish-rearing facilities,” said Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
“This evaluation will include a detailed analysis of the infrastructure, resources, and expertise. Hybrid systems involving a mix of efficient land-based hatcheries and ocean farming are the responsible and sustainable way to grow local salmon for food.”
The acquisition expands Cooke’s presence in Atlantic Canada, where it has operated the True North Salmon smoked processing plant in Charlottetown since 1997.
Local officials, including The Honourable Robin Croucher and The Honourable Zack Bell, welcomed the deal, citing its potential to sustain rural coastal communities and strengthen Prince Edward Island’s position in the global seafood market.
KCS has already rehired former AquaBounty employees and plans to expand operations, including new shipping routes from the Port of Souris, a key hub for commercial fisheries and transient fleets.
