Deepwater fishing company Sealord has completed the acquisition of Independent Fisheries following clearance from the Commerce Commission, consent from the Overseas Investment Office, and a number of conditions having been satisfied.
It’s the largest financial transaction in the seafood sector since the Sealord deal in 1992 as part of the Māori Fisheries Settlement and will make Sealord New Zealand’s biggest seafood business based on revenue.
The purchase of the Christchurch-based business includes 46,000 metric tonne of quota, one chartered and two owned deepwater factory fishing vessels, more than 500 vessel crew and staff, and a cold storage facility.
Sealord chair Jamie Tuuta said the deal places Māori at the forefront of fisheries in New Zealand.
Nelson-based Sealord is equally owned by Māori through Moana New Zealand, and global seafood company Nissui Corporation.
