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R.I. Smith Lobster

Leaders in Lobster since 1933

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Down Memory Lane

 

A look back at 83 years in the seafood business

At R.I. Smith, we know lobster. Over four generations, we’ve built a successful seafood company on the coast of southwest Nova Scotia. Much has changed since we opened our doors 83 years ago, but not our commitment to premium quality.


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Here are some quick facts about R.I. Smith:

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  • We began as a ground fish and lobster company, which transitioned into an international salt fish business.
  • The company was founded by brothers Robert and Wilbert Smith.
  • After four generations we remain family-owned. Robert’s son, Elnathan (Babe) Smith, took the company from 1977 into the new millennium. Babe’s grandson, Jonathan Sears, is the current president.

  • We were among the first in the industry to adopt long-term storage in an effort to provide best quality, out-of-season.
  • We were approved under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-certification program in September 2015. We are an industry leader in providing our clients with full-fledged chain of custody for eco-certified lobsters, a protocol of which we remain very proud going forward.

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RI Smith Lobster Brand

Life in 1933

What was life like, back when our company was founded?

  • Remarkably, our company was founded in the midst of the Great Depression — the longest depression in North American history, which impacted all corners of the globe.
  • The average cost of a home in 1933 was:  $5,750.
  • The price of a loaf of bread:  7 cents
  • The Canadian Prime Minister:  RB Bennett
  • The most popular song was Stormy Weather by Ethel Walters.
  • At the 6th Academy Awards, the film Cavalcade won best picture.
  • The population of Canada was just over 10,000,000.
RI Smith Lobster Receipt from 1936
RI Smith Lobster Brand

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Highest Possible Quality

We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality lobster. We are a family-owned, Nova Scotia seafood company in business through four generations. From our modest beginnings in 1933, we now serve clients around the world. We remain as passionate about lobster today as we have ever been.

  • Canadian lobster: A cut above

Contact

R.I. Smith Lobster Co. Ltd.
201 W Bear Point Rd
PO Box 9
Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia
Canada B0W 3B0
Jonathan Sears
Tel. 1.902.723.2380
Email jonathan@rismithlobster.com
  • Fully eco‐certified. Find out more
  • Walk down memory lane
  • Discover our history

With thanks: Photos by Carolyn Sears, Wim Moors, Robert and Sandy Moser, Penny Sharpe, and Ryan Sears.

© 2023 R.I. Smith Lobster Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Website design by Bread & Better Small Business Solutions