Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafoods has announced plans to replace its seafood-processing plant in Akutan, Alaska, with a new facility to be located in the Aleutian Islands.
The company has purchased property in Captains Bay, Unalaska, through its LFS subsidiary and is considering it as an option for the new plant, according to Trident Government Relations and Seafood Sustainability Vice President Stefanie Moreland.
“Construction is underway on a dock to take advantage of this construction season for any future maritime sector use of the Unalaska property and to fulfill a condition of the tidelands lease,” Moreland told SeafoodSource in an email. “Building a new plant, regardless of location, will take several years to execute.”
Trident’s Akutan facility is its largest plant in Alaska. It operates year-round and plays a major role in primary processing and freezing of Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, king crab, snow crab, halibut, and other species caught in the Bering Sea.
“In addition to traditional boxed and frozen seafood items, the plant has increased its capacity to produce surimi and recover large volumes of secondary products including pollock roe, fishmeal, fish oil, and other specialty products that contribute to Trident’s goal of fully utilizing every part of every fish delivered,” the company said on its website.
However, the Akutan plant is aging and the company has determined it isn’t feasible to update the existing facility without a complete new build, Moreland said. Trident and third-party engineering firms hired by the company are “currently weighing the feasibility, costs, and benefits of design options and an expanded footprint in Akutan versus a new footprint in Unalaska,” she said.
“[We] will continue to study this throughout 2022 in consultation with key stakeholders, including the community of Akutan and fleet,” Moreland said.
Trident plants to incorporate state-of-the-art technology and processes into the new facility, according to Moreland.
“We have an incredible opportunity to build a modern, efficient, environmentally responsible operation with automation opportunities to optimize full utilization, quality, and product forms to add value for all stakeholders,” Moreland said. “Design plans are being evaluated now.”
In December 2021, Trident acquired the at-sea processing vessel Starbound to increase its processing capabilities in Alaska.
Photo courtesy of Trident Seafoods
