Taste of B.C. Aquafarms Inc. founder Steve Atkinson is looking to terminate its commercial lease for the Nanaimo, B.C. facility, following ongoing legal battles with operating partner.
On Feb. 23, Atkinson filed an order to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for the legal authority to terminate the commercial lease of its Taste of B.C. Aquafarms’ recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) facility. Atkinson seeks to have immediate possession of the Nanaimo, B.C. property, including the legal authority to stabilize or shut down oxygen, water exchange, and waste systems on site. Atkinson also wants Taste of B.C. to remove all its personal property by March 2.
Atkinson, who is the landlord and property owner with his wife, Janet Atkinson, has been in a legal battle with the Florida-based operating company, Blue Star Foods Corp., after claims of rent delinquency beginning in July 2024. He claims Blue Star and Taste of B.C. operators “they’ve been repeatedly delinquent in their rent,” he told RAStech Magazine.
Blue Star Foods acquired the Nanaimo, B.C.-based steelhead trout RAS farm in 2021 and in the past three years, Atkinson alleged this ongoing dispute has led him to issue a notice, indicating its lease of 2930 Jameson Road, Nanaimo, B.C. would be cancelled.
Blue Star responded with its own legal action days later, claiming Atkinson “engaged in a series of hostile acts, including unauthorized entry onto the property, refusal to allow (the company)’s security personnel access, and verbal aggression towards personnel, security staff, and maintenance contractors.” The company further alleges that Atkinson “resorted to vandalism,” forcibly removing security cameras and ordering the killing of fish on the farm.
“(Taste of B.C.) stands firm in denouncing Steven Harold Atkinson for his unlawful interference, aggressive behaviour, and disregard for contractual obligations,” said Blue Star CEO John Keeler in a statement.