Fishing has always played a dominant role in the economy of Newfoundland. In the 19th Century, the island became the centre of a summer fishery in which cod was taken and dried with solar heat and salt.
With the progression of science in the field of refrigeration, ice makers have enabled the catch to remain fresh, without dehydration.
Nowadays, fishing remains a vital activity in Newfoundland. The scarcer resource calls for even larger quantities of ice, to avoid spoilage and make the most of the catch.
In 2000, Geneglace developed the F2000, a large ice maker model. Five years later, Ocean View Industries opted for this powerful ice generator at their factory in La Scie, Newfoundland.
The ice plant is in the heart of the small fishing port that counts 955 inhabitants and about 150 fishermen, and operates from April to October for the shrimp and crab fishing season.
The F2000 was assembled by Canadian company CIMCO Refrigeration with a dedicated ammonia refrigerating plant in a self-contained unit. The unit runs on NH3 with a FRICK screw compressor and produces 55 tons-a-day (24h).
Owner Larry Butt is very pleased with the package and with the quality of the flakes, as they are easy to pack don't stick together – a huge advantage in view of the many cubic metres handled. The flakes cushion the seafood and keep it fresh for a long time.
