Five Nuu-chah-nulth nations from the west coast of Vancouver Island have bought the controlling interest in a Nanaimo fish processing plant used by many First Nations.

The purchase of St. Jean’s Cannery was made by NCN Cannery LP which is made up of the following nations: Dididaht (Nitnaat); Huey-ay-aht (Bamfield); Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ (Brooks Peninsula); Uchucklesaht (Barkley Sound); and Yule?it?ath (Ucluelet).

The company’s depots around the coast and its subsidiary Raincoast Trading was included in the purchase. The new owners said access to wild stock commercial licenses will be key to the growth of St. Jeans including underutilized wild clam and oysters as well as niche marketing of goose neck barnacles.