Cooke Aquaculture Opens New Processing Plant

This milestone event followed a period of positive change in the industry and comes at a time when working waterfronts are facing the challenge of an economic downturn, a decline in the fishery and chronic unemployment, says FundyAquaculture.

Representatives of the Cooke family and their employees joined by Governor John Baldacci at a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the Machiasport Salmon Processing Plant “The opening of this plant in Downeast Maine is a great example of how determined investors and a supportive business climate can prove that Maine is competitive on the world market,” noted Governor John Baldacci.

“The Cooke family and their dedicated employees deserve a great deal of credit for their innovative farming methods and hard work. I would like to congratulate them on their success and note that the State looks forward to working closely with them in their continued efforts to compete in the world market.”

According to FundyAquaculture, the 30,000 square foot salmon processing plant was first opened in 1997 but was closed in 2004 because of a decline in the salmon farming industry and a dramatic drop in production. When Cooke Aquaculture purchased the assets of two major multi-national aquaculture companies who were exiting the State in 2006, the company made the commitment to work collaboratively with Government officials and the communities to rebuild the sector to be an economically viable and environmentally responsible industry.