Privately-owned fish processor, packing house, wholesaler and retailer Steelhead Food Company has signed the “100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge,” publicly committing to use 100% of each fish it raises by the end of 2025. Steelhead is the 36th company, and 10th from Ontario - to sign the pledge.
In less than two years, the initiative has recruited companies representing nearly 90% of all commercial fish production from the Great Lakes – from 7 States and 2 Canadian Provinces.
As part of the pledge, the company, with locations in St. Thomas and Port Stanley, will help communicate to other companies in the fish supply chain about opportunities for innovative applications for fish byproducts, including compost, fertilizer, protein, marine collagen, leather or other new, high-value products.
The pledge is part of the 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative created by the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), an organization representing the Governors of the Great Lakes States and the Canadian Premiers of Ontario and Québec.
“Steelhead Food Company is a great example of an innovative company that wants to find unique ways to use all parts of the fish, so we are pleased to have it join our effort,“ said David Naftzger, executive director of GSGP. “In less than two years, we have attracted companies representing nearly 90% of all commercial fish production across the Great Lakes. We are eager to foster this collaboration and help activate innovative applications for fish byproducts.”
The Great Lakes region is home to sizable commercial fisheries and growing aquaculture operations, but only the fillets of these fish are usually eaten. In contrast, the remaining 60% of the fish is often relegated to inexpensive uses or discarded. The 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative seeks new and innovative ways to use each fish to reduce waste, create more value and jobs, and support rural economic development. Iceland pioneered this approach and has seen the value of products made from each cod skyrocket from C$17 for just the filet to a remarkable C$7,200 for products including cosmetics, medical bandages, nutritional supplements, and a range of other products.
Steelhead Food Co, founded in 2015 by Matt and Meg McTaggart, offers wholesale and retail customers a complete line of fresh, smoked, live, and frozen fish and seafood. The company sources fish as close to its St. Thomas facility as possible and has its own distribution fleet.
“We are excited to join the 100% Fish Pledge! While we already focus on producing quality fish filets and utilizing biproducts, we recognize the opportunity to reduce waste further and enhance our efforts. We look forward to partnering with this initiative,” said Meg McTaggart, CEO and co-owner of Steelhead Food Company.
More information on 100% Great Lakes Fish, including a copy of the Pledge, is available here.
