Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd.

When it comes to doing business, there are two things that are crucial to Lori Kennedy: community and sustainability. In fact, these notions are the cornerstones of the Cape Breton-based business she co-owns with her husband Jim. Louisbourg Seafoods is built on care for the environment, in the way they harvest fish, and care for their community, in the way they give back.

"Jim and I worked in the fishery for years before we opened our own business, so we know how important it is to keep fish stocks healthy." Kennedy adds on both sides of their family, fishing is in their blood. "Our families have been in the fisheries for hundreds of years, in St. Pierre and Miquelon, France and Newfoundland. So, we have a rich history and vast experience and knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation."

In 1984, when Lori and Jim were plant workers and saw the telltale signs of instability within the fishery, they wanted to do something about it. "Where others have failed, we succeeded, largely because we're actually from the community. We were plant workers so we knew, first hand, how hard employees work." Jim and Lori also knew the key to their success would be building community relationships right into their business.

They've done a remarkable job of this - growing their business from seven employees to over 500, and transforming the company from one that simply shipped fish in the beginning to one that now harvests fish, processes it in a variety of locations, and sells to major distributors in the United States and the UK.

The Kennedy's feel strongly that relationships among people in a community should come before profits. "When you choose to work in a way that combines community, industry, and all levels of government, your profits just aren't as high. But the end result is a healthy economy and a healthy community that benefits everyone," she says. "Atlantic Canadians in general aren't very profit-driven. They are more community and family-oriented, which means everything they do, every decision they make is based more on the health of the community than potential profits."

The owners of Louisbourg Seafoods bring this concept to life with a number of initiatives, such as the scholarships they provide to Cape Breton University for students entering a program related to the marine sciences. They also sponsor the "Breakfast for Learning" program at the local elementary school where children who might not receive a healthy morning meal at home are fed at school. "We believe it's vitally important to support education because these young people being educated are the key to future business in Cape Breton."

In fact, the company also works closely with another educational institution—Nova Scotia Community College—to help train and recruit electronic engineers acquired by their sister company, called Louisbourg Ship Supply. In true family style, this company—which provides supplies, electronic devices and maintenance to fishers—is owned and operated by Lori and Jim's daughter Rena Lahey.

To stay true to their credo: “Respect: from the ocean to the palate,” Louisbourg Seafoods is very mindful of the sustainability of fish stocks. "Respecting our ocean resources and behaving accordingly, has always been of the utmost importance to us," says Kennedy. "That means handling each species with the utmost care and fishing in a sustainable manner - demonstrating leadership, responsiblity and respect.”

Canada has one of the highest eco-system management standards in the world when it comes to seafood. "Canada sets high standards world-wide," says Kennedy. "Canadian seafood is very well-managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and industry." This is not always the case in other parts of the world where there are illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries selling products into the marketplace.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international body, has developed standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. A MSC label on a package of seafood lets consumers know the fish was caught using sustainable methods.

Kennedy is proud to report Louisbourg Seafoods has its own internal eco-system management standards that meet or exceed what is required by MSC. "The regulations becoming mandatory now, are things we've been doing for a long time," she says. "It's what we've always believed in."

While the traditional species of snow crab, lobster, shrimp, and groundfish are the foundation of their business, Louisbourg Seafoods has also been careful to diversify. They currently process and sell over 20 species of seafood products caught in Atlantic Canada; offering their customers a wide variety while ensuring their business is not dependent upon one particular seafood stock.

Lori and Jim are also very mindful of the need to open up new markets. Recently, Lori travelled to Singapore with the Cape Breton Clipper contingent—a seagoing vessel used for the purposes of marketing Cape Breton businesses abroad. The Cape Breton Clipper and the trip were sponsored by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), a branch of ACOA. "It was a great opportunity for us to grow our business and to try and get a foothold in the Asian markets."

Although they would like to share the goodness of Atlantic Canadian seafood with the world, the Kennedy's wouldn't want to live anywhere else. "The business mindset is different here. It's more balanced. We believe that's the best way to do business—caring for the ocean, caring for your neighbours, and working together."