Founded in 1978
Our History
Founders Roy Enoksen and Frank O’Hara began Eastern Fisheries as a joint venture in 1978, when they decided to bring the seafood they harvested to broader markets. Their vision has not changed and it is their key belief, in managing all aspects of the business, that has provided the path for the company’s growth. Holding true to their core values, while developing a team of talented professionals, has moved Eastern Fisheries into a position where they can provide a global market with a continuous supply of quality seafood.
1907
The O’Hara Corporation was formed by Frank O’Hara, and has since grown in scope to operate scallop and herring boats on the East Coast and catcher-processors in Alaska.
1968
Roy Enoksen founded Nordic Fisheries and purchased his first scalloper, F.V. Sea Trek.
1978
The founding of Eastern Fisheries by Roy Enoksen and Frank O’Hara Sr., who were both looking for greater control over the marketing of their harvested scallops. Nordic Fisheries and O’Hara Corporation remain co-owners of Eastern Fisheries to this day.
1982
Eastern’s first scallop processing facility purchased on the waterfront of New Bedford, Mass.
1984
Frozen scallops added to offerings. Processing plant upgraded with plate freezing equipment.
2002
Founding of New Bedford Ice & Cold Storage, which now has three operating divisions: an independent seafood division, public cold storage, and New Bedford Ice.
2002
Second plant purchased on New Bedford’s waterfront, used primarily for scallop unloading.
2005
Third New Bedford waterfront location acquired, gaining the company 47,000 square feet of unloading, processing, and cold storage space as well as 200 feet of dock space.
2006
Frozen scallop processing and sales/administrative offices moved to the third, most recently acquired New Bedford location, establishing the company’s current administrative headquarters.
2006
The formation of Far Eastern Shores Seafood company in Dalian, China. This wholly owned subsidiary was established, in part, to implement and manage Eastern’s dedicated Alaska groundfish processing facility in Zhuanghe, China.
2008
Eastern announces wild-caught Alaska flatfish program to customers.
2009
Far Eastern is converted from a trading company to a production company with long-term holdings in Zhuanghe, China.
2013
Eastern earns the British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification under the Global Standard for Food Safety.
2014
Eastern Fisheries acquires a minority interest in Global Marketing, Inc., a leading exporter of Japanese scallops.
2015
The formation of Eastern Fisheries Europe. A wholly owned subsidiary located in Staphorst, Netherlands.
2017
Eastern Fisheries obtains Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certificate for their China operation.
2021
Eastern Fisheries move to a brand new, fully automated 80,000 square foot processing facility with 2-million pounds of cold storage, in New Bedford, MA.