Premium Shellfish Production
Built on Three Generations of Family Expertise
Since 1988, The Gant family has cultivated premium geoduck, oysters, clams, and shellfish in Canadian waters. Our commitment to environmental responsibility is verified through independent lifecycle assessment: 355 kg CO2eq per tonne of geoduck production — among the lowest carbon footprints in animal protein.
Three Generations, One Commitment
Founded by Eric Gant in 1988, Manatee Holdings represents three generations of Geoduck aquaculture expertise in British Columbia.
Pioneered sustainable shellfish farming on British Columbia's coast.
Expanded operations to geoduck, diversified species, and implemented third-party environmental verification.
Aiming to modernize sustainability practices and rebrand to seafood in partnership with Pacific Rim Shellfish (dba The Lobsterman).
Today, we combine traditional knowledge with verified environmental performance across our multi-species operations.
Our Shellfish
We produce premium shellfish for domestic and international markets:
Geoduck
Large burrowing clams prized in Asian markets
- Hatchery-raised, naturally grown
- 5–7 year grow-out cycle
- Independent LCA verified: 355 kg CO2eq/tonne
Pacific Oysters
Premium oysters for raw and cooked consumption
- Beach and suspended culture
- Available May–August
- Grown in licensed BC waters
Manila Clams
High-demand clams for fresh markets
- Hatchery seed for commercial grow-out
- Natural beach culture
- Sustainable harvest practices
All species are raised using methods designed to minimize environmental impact while delivering premium quality.
Verified Environmental Performance
We commissioned Blue Food Performance to conduct an independent lifecycle assessment of our geoduck operations — the first of our species to undergo this verification.
ISO 14040/44 · EF 3.0 · Cradle-to-gate · Completed August 2025 · Assessed by Blue Food Performance (independent)
Sources: Our LCA (Blue Food Performance, 2025); Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science. Note: Comparisons are indicative. Different system boundaries may affect results.
Why Shellfish Matter
No Feed Required
Unlike fish farming, bivalves filter natural phytoplankton from seawater — no external feed inputs needed.
Water Quality
Filter-feeding helps remove excess nutrients from coastal waters.
Carbon in Shells
Shellfish sequester atmospheric CO2 in their calcium carbonate shells. Our geoduck LCA credits 350g CO2/tonne when shells are permanently stored.
Low Trophic Level
Bivalves occupy a low position in the food web, requiring minimal ecosystem disruption.
Traditional Protein Source
Shellfish have sustained coastal communities for thousands of years.
Note: Environmental benefits depend on specific production methods, location, and management practices.
From Hatchery to Harvest
Our integrated operations span the complete lifecycle:
1. Hatchery & Nursery
- Controlled spawning and larval rearing
- Protected juvenile grow-out
- Year-round production capacity
- Species: Geoduck, oysters, clams
2. Field Operations
- Natural grow-out in licensed marine tenure areas
- Beach culture (oysters, clams)
- Intertidal grow-out (geoduck)
- Minimal environmental disturbance methods
3. Harvest & Processing
- Selective harvest at optimal maturity
- Minimal processing for premium markets
- Full traceability from hatchery to delivery
- Quality control at every stage
Our current practices reflect decades of family knowledge combined with modern environmental science. Each generation has refined our methods to reduce environmental impact while maintaining premium quality.
Our Commitment
As a 3rd-generation family business, our commitment extends beyond this generation.
Environmental Transparency
Independent verification of our environmental performance
Quality First
Premium products for domestic and international markets
Community
Supporting coastal communities and local economies
Knowledge Sharing
Contributing to industry best practices
Continuous Improvement
Investing in technologies and methods that reduce environmental impact
"We measure success not just by this year's harvest, but by the health of the waters we leave for the next generation."