Icicle Seafoods on Friday announced it has decided to close it operations in Adak in the Aleutian Islands, citing concerns about the short- and long-term health of the region’s Pacific cod resource and increased regulatory uncertainty.
“Icicle has worked incredibly hard in the two years since we took it over to make the Adak plant a viable operation,” said Amy Humphreys, president and CEO. “We strongly support policies that encourage the development and sustainability of Alaska's coastal communities and recognize this goal is often best achieved with a resident fishing fleet and year-round seafood processing operation. However, given the questionable outlook for the Pacific cod fishery in the area and the high costs of operating in this remote location, we have decided to focus our resources in other areas within our Alaska operations.”
Icicle has invested heavily elsewhere in Alaska in recent years, most recently completing the purchase of a second shore-based seafood processing facility in Bristol Bay. The addition of the Wood River facility in Dillingham will significantly increase the company’s capacity to produce high-quality sockeye salmon fillets. Herring and chum and pink salmon will also be processed at the facility. The purchase was the final step of Icicle's acquisition of Snopac Products assets, which began in 2012.
“The strategic acquisition of the Wood River facility is yet another step in our growth strategy as a leading processor of salmon and other seafood products,” said Humphreys. “Icicle is well-positioned with its diversified harvesting and processing infrastructure and its broad, quality product offerings to further strengthen and build upon the founding vision put into motion almost 50 years ago: to be a superior, diversified seafood company offering premier service and commitment to our customers, fishermen and employees.”
