About Arctic Fisheries
Back in 1921, our family seafood matriarch, Fanny Kotok walked daily to the wharf in Buffalo, NY to bring fish back to the neighborhood for sale. We continue today and owe our longevity to the same principles Fanny Kotok, then Nathan Kotok, then Teddy Kotok, then Mark Kotok, and now Michael Kotok hold dear; value, integrity, honesty, seafood knowledge and prized personal relationships.
Today, Arctic Fisheries Ltd. produces and imports premium seafood from locales world-wide. We started in Iceland and then looked to other places where valued seafoods are produced: Alaska, Russia, Norway, China, Vietnam and Canada. Our specialty started with Atlantic cod and haddock, of course, and our expertise in other species like Pacific cod, pollock, lobster, snow crab, deep-water crab, king crab, Atlantic pollock, Icelandic lobster, tilapia, swai and shrimp.
In the 100 years since Fanny first desperately sold fish to support her community and family, we’ve been hands-on in the entire supply-and-distribution chain: we’ve fished, we’ve cut fish, we’ve packed fish, we’ve worked in commercial kitchens, we’ve fried fish, we’ve cooked lobster and crab and all sorts of seafood, we’ve been champions for producers and customers alike and mostly, we’ve made friends.
We do this because we value the relationships we have; with our customers, with consumers, with vendors, with fishermen, with fishing companies and with you - the people that challenge us daily to be better, to make better values, to help grow business together and along the way, improve lives and make people smile and laugh. We’re also looking forward to the relationships and friendships yet to come. Let us help you grow your business, whether you’re a seafood producer or a seafood consumer, let’s get to know each other.
Sustainability
Sustainability is more than just MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) approval. Of course, nearly all of our species are MSC-approved, but it’s the constant pursuit of fisheries improvements that we support individually as well as a part of the National Fisheries Institute. The industry works closely with various NGOs to ensure the world's fisheries are well-managed and properly-balanced. We're members of MSC, FishChoice, Iceland Responsible Fisheries and the National Fisheries Institute, all organizations working to make all fisheries 100% sustainable. We owe sustainability to the generations that came before us and those that will follow us.
Charity Day
On February 4 (or the closest weekday), we donate 1% of sales to various charities. February 4 is Joe Klaips' birthday. Besides being a mentor and our best friend, Joe worked his entire life in food service and food service distribution. He was as unique and as special as a person can be. He fought cancer for decades, and despite the illness, he thrived and impacted so many people through his positive outlook and unique humor. The Klaips family remains our family and on Joe’s birthday, we raise and donate 1% of sales to various charities.
To date, we have raised over $50,000 for charities with a focus on; cancer research, community, seafood, homelessness and child hunger. Some recipients include; BUOE Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Utah Avalanche Center, Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research, American Thyroid Association, Seashare, Volunteers of America, National MS Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Seafood Industry Research Fund, BBG Charities, The Huntsman Cancer Center, The James Cancer Center, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Josh Norman Buffalo Business Blitz and others.