Icicle’s new processing plant in Adak is now up and running.

The seafood company formalized their lease of the facilities in April, and spent the spring making upgrades. The plant had been left vacant since former tenants Adak Fisheries went bankrupt in 2009, and serious maintenance work was need to get the plant operating again. On July 3, Icicle was able to buy their first fish.

Vice President of Operations John Woodruff says that the plant has been buying longline fish, mostly halibut with some black cod and Pacific cod. Right now, he says that the company’s major goal is attracting boats out to the western Aleutians.

“It’s difficult to get boats to commit to coming out without knowing that we’ve got all of the services that they’ll need and that we’re ready to support them,” says Woodruff. “At this point, we are. We’ve got ice, we’ve got bait, and we’ve certainly got a plant up and running.”

In addition to having the challenge of setting up operations, Icicle also has to deal with federal restrictions on fishing meant to help boost the population of the endangered Steller sea lion. But Woodruff says that the state waters fishery that’s open in the area should be a draw for smaller boats. Woodruff adds that Icicle is working on ways to create incentives for fishermen to deliver to the plant.

At present, the Icicle plant is employing about 20 processors, with a support staff of about ten.