Ignacio Kleiman said Cooke’s sale of Icicle Seafoods’ whitefish assets—including nine vessels and about 4 % of the Bering Sea pollock quota—to a partnership of Maruha Nichiro and two Community Development Quota groups will allow Cooke to focus on higher‑value species while giving the buyers greater volume despite foreign‑ownership restrictions
Maruha Nichiro and Alaska Community Development Quota groups confirmed they acquired Icicle Seafoods’ whitefish assets—including the Northern Victor processing plant, nine vessels and roughly 4 % of the Bering Sea pollock quota—for an estimated US$180–200 million in a structure designed to meet U.S. ownership rules
Transaction SummaryAntarctica Advisors, the leading Seafood Industry-focused investment banking firm, acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Clear Springs Foods, Inc. in its 100% sale to Riverence Holding LLC. The combined group is the largest producer of trout in the U.S., becoming one of the largest aquaculture companies in the country.
Antarctica’s specialized Seafood Team worked with the Board and Management in finding the best strategy for the Company, advised in the Company’s refinancing prior to the sale, and led a closed competitive sales process geared towards maximizing value for the Company’s employee-owners.