New $100 Million Fishing Vessel Set to Enhance Nunavut’s Seafood Industry

A new fishing vessel, the Saputi II, is on track to reach Canada by May 2024, enhancing the seafood industry in Nunavut as it prepares for the 2026 fishing season. This state-of-the-art ship, costing approximately $100 million, promises to significantly improve product quality and operational efficiency at sea, according to Harry Flaherty, president and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp.

The announcement was made during a board meeting with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association on October 7, where Flaherty described the new vessel’s capabilities. The current vessel also named Saputi, which means “fish trap” in Inuktitut, has been in service since 1987 and is being replaced due to its limited capacity. The new Saputi II will be able to transport up to 1,100 tonnes of shrimp or 750 tonnes of turbot, effectively doubling the load that the existing vessel can carry.

Advanced Features and Construction Details

Equipped with an onboard processing plant, the Saputi II will freeze up to 50 tonnes of turbot or 100 tonnes of shrimp per day, which is nearly double the freezing capacity of the old ship. This enhancement will allow the vessel to remain at sea for extended periods without the need to dock, Flaherty noted in a recent interview. He also highlighted the vessel’s modern amenities, which include eco-friendly engines, dining facilities, and a movie theatre, making it a notable upgrade for the crew.

Designed by Norwegian firm Skipsteknisk with assistance from Allswater Marine Consultants in Nova Scotia, the Saputi II is currently under construction at the Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain. The ship measures 79 metres in length and 17 metres in width, with accommodations for 34 crew members. Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp. announced the acquisition of this new vessel two years ago, and it is now set to arrive in Iqaluit in August 2024, following a mid-May arrival in Canada.

Impact on Local Fishing Operations

Once the Saputi II is operational, the older vessel will be listed for sale. In the previous fishing year of 2024, the existing Saputi caught a total of 7,504 tonnes of seafood, comprised of 4,616 tonnes of shrimp and 2,888 tonnes of turbot, as reported in the annual report from Qikiqtaaluk Corp.

While the Saputi II will be larger than its predecessor, it will still be smaller than the newly-launched Inuksuk II fishing vessel from Baffin Fisheries, which measures 79.5 metres in length. The advancements represented by the Saputi II are expected to contribute significantly to the fishing industry in Nunavut, enhancing both capacity and sustainability in operations.

Flaherty expressed enthusiasm about the new vessel, stating, “We’re looking forward to it.” As the fishing industry adapts to modern challenges, the introduction of the Saputi II marks a significant step forward for local fisheries and the communities they support.