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Or sign-in if you have an account.Icewater Seafoods Inc. in Arnold's Cove, NL has earned Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards, one of the world's leading food safety and quality certification programs. Icewater Seafoods Inc.The once overfished cod stock that led to Canada’s largest layoff is making a comeback, and a Newfoundland and Labrador seafood processor is seizing the moment to certify its quality and expand market reach.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorIcewater Seafoods Inc. has been working on growing its sales in North America and Europe for several years, relying on customers or a third-party to audit fish quality.When one customer insisted that Icewater have its cod recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative in time for the 2026 season, the company took notice and acted upon that advice.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againIcewater pursued what is known as Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS), one of the world’s leading food safety and quality certification programs.It had its first audit from May 12-14, 2026, and achieved an A grade for its processing and final product.“This will transform how we operate here, how we do our quality checks and it’s a mindset change,” said Alberto Wareham, president and chief executive officer of Icewater Seafoods.“It’s the global standard for food manufacturing that we need to meet. The big thing for us is this opens up a lot of doors now for customers that we may not have been able to supply before.” The northern cod processed by Icewater Seafoods Inc. in Arnold’s Cove, NL, has been undergoing even closer scrutiny to ensure its quality meets standards expected by the global market. Icewater Seafoods Inc.Icewater Seafoods is already one of the few seafood processors worldwide approved to supply Marks & Spencer P.L.C., a British retailer that sells clothing, food and home products in multiple countries and online.Icewater’s certification, and opening markets in Europe, are another encouraging sign for the resurging Northern cod fishery.The collapse of the stock in the 1980s led to a moratorium in 1992. That ban displaced an estimated 30,000 fish harvesters and plant workers and is considered the largest lay-off in Canadian history.The improving stock has Wareham optimistic about the cod fishery and those employed by it. Alberto Wareham is president and chief executive officer of Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove, NL. The Telegram fileThe latest science from Fisheries and Oceans Canada indicated that the Northern cod stock is continuing to get healthier, with a spawning biomass of 540,000, but which could be as high as 700,000 tonnes this year.According to the Atlantic Groundfish Council, Northern cod has the largest spawning stock biomass of any cod stock in the world.The positive trend means Wareham and others involved in the fishery expect the federal government to raise the total allowable catch again for the approaching season when quotas are announced later in June.“It could be transformational for our business in terms of the volume that we should be able to produce,” he said. Icewater Seafoods Inc. in Arnold’s Cove, NL hopes to see an increase in the Northern cod quota again this year so it can sell more product to its growing international customer base. Icewater Seafoods Inc.While the BRCGS certification will make Northern cod from Icewater more palatable to new customers in Europe, the company has another certification in its sights, a designation that would elevate the product even higher.During the 2026 Global Seafood Expo in Barcelona, Spain, in April, Northern cod officially entered the assessment process for Marine Stewardship Council sustainability. That certification is widely recognized as the global benchmark for sustainable wild-capture fisheries.“There’ll be no customer I know of that buys cod that we wouldn’t be able to supply (once both certifications have been secured),” said Wareham, who said that certification could come in 2027.Icewater invested close to $200,000 to earn the BRCGS certification. Wareham would not say how much it will cost the company to get the nod from the Marine Stewardship Council, preferring to wait for that process to unfold first.Besides the money, Wareham said the effort also required the 300 or so employees at Icewater to all buy into a commitment to demonstrating higher standards within the processing facility. Achieving the Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards certification involved all employees at Icewater Seafoods Inc. in Arnold’s Cove, NL. Icewater Seafoods Inc.While some of Icewater’s fish is sold into the North American market, 65 per cent is sold in Europe, particularly France and the United Kingdom.Internationally, Wareham said demand is not an issue. It’s the supply, including shortages in the amount of cod supplied by other stocks around the world.“We just don’t have enough product for our customers,” he said. “Even with a significant increase in the quota this year, we will be able to sell more than we have, that’s for sure.” Icewater Seafoods Inc. in Arnold’s Cove, NL hopes Northern cod will acquire Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification – widely recognized as the global benchmark for sustainable wild-capture fisheries – in 2027 Icewater Seafoods Inc.The Association of Seafood Producers, which represents Newfoundland and Labrador seafood processing companies, said Icewater’s certification under the BRCGS program is a powerful example of industry leadership in action.“Achieving BRCGS positions Newfoundland and Labrador cod for greater visibility in premium international markets,” said Lorelei Roberts, the association’s executive director.“This milestone comes at a pivotal moment for our province’s seafood industry: global cod supplies are tightening, while our Northern cod stocks are rebuilding. That combination creates a rare and valuable opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador producers to expand their presence in the world’s most discerning seafood markets.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.