Wayne and Randy Chiasson
the W&R Fisheries ltd.
Wayne and Randy Chiasson have been hanging around wharfs their entire lives.
Born in New Brunswick, the fishing industry brought the brothers to PEI when they were 12 and 14 years old, respectively. As a ground fisherman, their father launched and operated W&R Fisheries Ltd.
Over the years, the duo spent many years in various industry roles, including buying and unloading products to ensure quality control in plants to working on fishing boats. In the late 1990s, Wayne and Randy diversified W&R Fisheries Ltd. by buying their first mussel lease and moving into the aquaculture industry. These days, they own and operate a processing plant in Georgetown.
Wayne and Randy make a good team, each bringing their unique skills and interests to the job. Wayne takes pride in keeping the plant clean and tidy and operating smoothly. Randy, on the other hand, is usually covered head to toe in fish oil or grease, doing plant maintenance, or working on the boats. “Running a business with family isn’t always easy,” says Randy, “but we work well together. He does his thing and I do mine.”
The Chiasson brothers taught themselves as they went, relying on guidance from other farmers and friends in the community. They’ve learned there is a lot more to growing mussels than one might think! “Farming is so much more than just putting a stock in the water,” says Wayne. “There’s an art to it. You really have to take care of the mussels.”
Wayne and Randy make a good team, each bringing their unique skills and interests to the job. Wayne takes pride in keeping the plant clean and tidy and operating smoothly. Randy, on the other hand, is usually covered head to toe in fish oil or grease, doing plant maintenance, or working on the boats. “Running a business with family isn’t always easy,” says Randy, “but we work well together. He does his thing and I do mine.”
The Chiasson brothers taught themselves as they went, relying on guidance from other farmers and friends in the community. They’ve learned there is a lot more to growing mussels than one might think! “Farming is so much more than just putting a stock in the water,” says Wayne. “There’s an art to it. You really have to take care of the mussels.”
Both Randy and Wayne love the independence of aqua farming. They enjoy working for themselves and with others in their community. They employ 10 people, all from the Georgetown area. The W&R Fisheries crew is tight-knit, with most employees being related to one another. It makes for a fun environment except when there’s a wedding or a funeral, and the whole company needs the day off!
Both Randy and Wayne love the independence of aqua farming. They enjoy working for themselves and with others in their community. They employ 10 people, all from the Georgetown area. The W&R Fisheries crew is tight-knit, with most employees being related to one another. It makes for a fun environment except when there’s a wedding or a funeral, and the whole company needs the day off!