Macduff Shellfish demonstrates increased importance of sustainability with key appointment

HALIFAX, March 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Wild caught shellfish processor Macduff Shellfish, which was bought by Canadian-based Clearwater Seafoods in a £98.4m deal last year, has appointed a former Marine Management Organisation executive to harness its sustainability commitments.

Dr Sarah Pilgrim-Morrison, who has a PhD in environmental science, was Head of the Fishing Effort Management and Acting Head of Statistics and Analysis at the Marine Management Organisation.

She will be the driving force behind the execution of Clearwater's strategy to protect the long term sustainability of resources on land and sea within the Macduff business and will join Clearwater's global Sustainability and Public Affairs team, where she will report into the Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs, Christine Penney. 

Euan Beaton, President of Macduff Shellfish, said:

"Sustainability has been a key focus of Macduff's for some time, as we protect our fishing heritage for future generations.  Sarah's appointment allows us to advance our sustainability objectives here and dovetail our activities in the UK with Clearwater's overarching and industry-leading global strategy."

"Sarah's professional experience in fisheries management, extensive network and background in sustainable management made her the ideal candidate for the position," added Clearwater's Christine Penney, Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs.  "Her knowledge and experience in European fisheries will be a tremendous asset."

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Pilgrim-Morrison said:

"I look forward to working with Macduff Shellfish, the wider Clearwater business and collaboratively with colleagues in the European industry and government to further establish a sound framework to protect the long term sustainability of our fisheries resources. 

"Playing my role in building on Clearwater's world recognised reputation for sustainable seafood excellence and collaborative fisheries research is hugely appealing for me."

Dr Pilgrim-Morrison will take up her new role on April 18, 2016.

Macduff Shellfish has factories in Mintlaw, Stornoway and Exeter and owns and operates 13 mid-shore scallop harvesting vessels.  It employs 400 people at the seasonal peak and specialises in scallops, langoustine, whelk and crab. 

About Sarah Pilgrim-Morrison

Sarah Pilgrim-Morrison joined the Marine Management Organisation in 2012 and established a team responsible for sustainably managing UK fishing effort, including key shellfish and whitefish fisheries. This includes working with representatives of the UK fishing industry, with Defra policy-makers, as well as scientists and the European Commission. As part of this role she represents the UK at several annual STECF Expert Working Group meetings. She became Acting Head of Statistics and Analysis in 2015. Prior to this, Sarah was an academic researcher, researching and lecturing on subjects including stakeholder-led natural resource management. She has a PhD in environmental science, has spoken at a number of international conferences, and has sat on multiple groups including acting as an expert evaluator for the EC's Framework 7 research programme.

About Clearwater

Clearwater is one of North America's largest vertically integrated seafood companies and the largest holder of shellfish licenses and quotas in Canada. It is recognised globally for its superior quality, food safety, diversity of species and reliable worldwide delivery of premium wild, eco-certified seafood, including scallops, lobster, clams, coldwater shrimp, crab and groundfish.  With the addition of Macduff Shellfish Group Limited ("Macduff"), Clearwater has expanded its product offering to include langoustines and whelk.

Since its founding in 1976, Clearwater has invested in science, people and technological innovation as well as resource ownership and management to sustain and grow its seafood resource. This commitment has allowed it to remain a leader in the global seafood market and in sustainable seafood excellence.

SOURCE Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated

Christine Penney, VP Sustainability and Public Affairs, Clearwater, [phone]