Big O’ Smokehouse and Great Lakes Tinned Fish join 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge

Michigan startup Great Lakes Tinned Fish, which is believed to be the first tinned fish company in the Midwest to source exclusively from the Great Lakes region, and Big O' Smokehouse, a Grand Rapids area fish retailer, are the 31st and 32nd companies to sign the “100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge,” publicly committing to use 100% of each fish it uses by 2025.

Great Lakes Tinned Fish, founded by entrepreneur Marissa Fellows, recently won $20,000 from a statewide entrepreneur competition for her venture. The company intends to launch its products in stores and online this fall. Big O’ Smokehouse is a family business and has operated in Caledonia, Michigan since 1997.

As part of the pledge, both companies will communicate to other companies in the fish supply chain about opportunities for innovative applications for fish byproducts, including compost, fertilizer, protein, marine collagen, leather, or other new, high-value products.

Thirty-two companies across North America have signed the pledge. It is part of the 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative created by the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), an organization representing the Governors of the Great Lakes States and the Canadian Premiers of Ontario and Québec.

"Working with local fish businesses across the Great Lakes region has been one of the most exciting aspects of this initiative,“ said David Naftzger, Executive Director of GSGP. “Great Lakes Tinned Fish’s mission is to support sustainable fishing practices in Michigan, so we couldn’t ask for a more allied partner to join the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge. The 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge helps us unlock new opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, and we’re thrilled to have Big O’ Smokehouse join the effort to create new value from the region’s fishery."

The Great Lakes are home to sizable commercial fisheries, but only the fillets of these fish are usually eaten. In contrast, the remaining 60% of the fish is often relegated to inexpensive uses or discarded. The 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative seeks new and innovative ways to use whole fish to reduce waste, create more value and jobs, and support rural economic development. Iceland pioneered this approach and has seen the value of products made from each cod skyrocket from $12 for just the filet to a remarkable $5,000 for products including cosmetics, medical bandages, nutritional supplements, and a range of other products.

“Supporting sustainable fishing practices that allow us all to enjoy the bounty of our Great Lakes for generations to come is at the heart of what Great Lakes Tinned Fish is all about,” said Marissa Fellows, Founder of Great Lakes Tinned Fish. “Our business was built through innovation - challenging what has never been done and believing in what's possible - and we know that great progress happens in environments where collaboration is actively cultivated. The 100% Fish Pledge is laying this foundation, and we're honored to be part of it.”

"My grandfather founded Big O’ Smokehouse nearly three decades ago with a focus on quality and tradition, but we've always looked for ways to innovate,” said Bruce Osterhaven, President, Big O’ Smokehouse. “The 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship, and we’re excited to explore new opportunities to share the unmatched quality of our region's fish with a wider audience."

Companies participating in the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge include:

Read the pledge here.