HISTORY
Les Bobines
Where does the name come from?
In the early days, it was known as the "RUISSEAU DES BOBINES" (Bobines Creek) which provided the water for our fish farm.
The creek got its name in the 1900s from a sawmill that manufactured coils. The sawmill was built on the creek and used paddlewheels that could be activated by the flowing water. The mill closed in the 1930s, and the creek was named "Ruisseau des Bobines" in its memory.
Normand Roy and Doris Brodeur began rearing their first trout in the basement of their family home using kiddie pools.
Five years later, Normand Roy and Doris Brodeur embarked on a full-time trout production adventure in Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton in the Eastern Townships, along with their four children.
The company expanded rapidly and the reputation of Les Bobines trout began to grow.
In 1989, to meet growing customer demand, the owners began looking for a site with exceptional groundwater quality. After a long search, the family settled in the beautiful Eastern Townships village of East Hereford to grow their business.
In 2000, the processing plant tripled in size to increase production.
Since 2003, La Ferme Piscicole des Bobines has contributed to the development of the STRADDAQ (Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Freshwater Aquaculture in Quebec). This strategy is an agreement between the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife, and Parks, as well as the AAQ (Association des Aquaculteurs du Québec). The goal of the strategy was to reduce phosphorus emissions from Quebec aquaculture production by 40% over ten years.
In 2004, the company embarked on an ambitious project to move its entire production to an indoor building and adopt an innovative and unique rearing system. This system has become a benchmark for sustainable aquaculture.
Their son, Clément Roy, joined the company in 2005 after completing a college degree in administration and a university degree in law.
In 2011, a high-performance wastewater treatment system was added to the existing system, enabling the farm to meet and even exceed Quebec’s environmental standards.
In 2012, the company developed a project to build new recirculating aquaculture systems with the aim of improving trout rearing conditions, and remaining a leader in the Quebec aquaculture industry.
From 2013 to 2016, the company invested heavily in automated systems throughout its facilities: an automated oxygen system, a new filtration system, and an automated fish transfer and counting system.
All of the packaging was redesigned; new brand image, same tasty products!
A new sales boutique was opened up and the offices were expanded.
La Ferme Piscicole des Bobines entered a major expansion phase that enabled it to double its volume of production. It eventually became one of the largest salmonid farming facilities in Canada.
Today, the company continues to meet the most rigorous standards for sustainable and responsible aquaculture, receiving the "Best Choice" recognition award from the following independent organizations:
