Blaze Destroys Lobster Facility in Stonehaven, New Brunswick
A fire has erupted at a lobster holding facility in Stonehaven, New Brunswick, marking another devastating event for the seafood processing sector in Atlantic Canada. The facility, owned by Stonehaven Lobster Co., is located about 10 kilometers east of Bathurst, amid the region’s rich maritime tradition.
Firefighters Respond to Emergency
Volunteer firefighters from the New Bandon-Salmon Beach Fire Department were alerted to the fire at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18. Fire Chief Jay Glenberry reported to Undercurrent News that by the time the firefighters arrived, the building was already fully engulfed in flames and was deemed a total loss. Fortunately, the facility was unoccupied at the time, as it had concluded its seasonal operations.
Investigation Underway
Investigators are currently assessing the situation to determine the cause of the blaze. “The building was a complete loss, but no injuries were reported,” Glenberry added, underlining the gravity of the incident while also acknowledging the response of the local firefighting team.
Image of the Stonehaven Lobster Company holding facility. Source: Stonehaven Lobster website
A Deep-Rooted Family Business
Stonehaven Lobster Co. has been a family-owned business for four generations, specializing in shipping live lobster to markets in Asia, Europe, the United States, and throughout Canada. This incident marks not only a loss of property but also a disruption to a long-standing legacy in seafood distribution.
Controversy Surrounding Ownership
Interestingly, Stonehaven Lobster is affiliated with East Coast Ocean Products, owned by Frederic Arsenault. In 2022, both Arsenault and East Coast faced legal ramifications for illegally buying and selling lobster, resulting in a collective fine of CAD 50,000 (approximately $36,284), as reported by CBC. Arsenault is listed as a director of Stonehaven Lobster in the corporate registry for New Brunswick.
A Troubling Pattern
This incident marks the third fire to devastate seafood processing operations in Atlantic Canada within just two months. Earlier in December, a lobster processing plant connected to US-based Harlan Foods was destroyed by fire in Nova Scotia. Additionally, a snow crab plant owned by St. Mary’s Bay Fisheries, known for its prominent figures in the industry, was also wrecked by a blaze in early November.
Community Impact
The consecutive incidents have raised concerns about safety measures in the seafood processing industry. As the community reels from the loss of Stonehaven Lobster Co., residents and industry stakeholders are left to ponder the implications of these tragic events on their livelihoods.
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