Cooke Seafood USA announced Wednesday it will add 70 jobs, a corporate office and seafood production lines to its Suffolk facility during the next three years.

Wanchese Fish Company, located on Northgate Commerce Parkway, was purchased by Cooke Seafood USA in 2015, according to a city press release.

“We are excited to further expand our operations here in Suffolk as we solidify our position as a global seafood leader,” Cooke Seafood USA Chief Executive Officer Ross Butler stated in the press release. “This new investment will enhance our current capabilities but also provide us with the opportunity for future growth.”

The 70 new positions include the establishment of new corporate operations and production jobs for the new retail seafood production lines. The expansions will total more than $2.8 million in investment, the press release stated.

Since the 2015 acquisition, Wanchese Fish Company has invested millions of dollars upgrading its Suffolk facility to be able to process an increased amount of seafood coming into the facility from the Cooke family of companies around the world. The company continues to increase its exports and imports through the Port of Virginia.

“Cooke’s investment in Wanchese and in Suffolk generates a tremendous amount of pride for our entire community,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson stated in the press release. “It is wonderful to see the Suffolk facility and the people employed there become such a valuable asset to Cooke Seafood’s global footprint.”

Cooke’s head office is in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada. The company ships fresh, sustainable seafood products to 65 countries. It was named the top company on the 2018 list of Top Seafood Suppliers in North America by Seafood Source for the second year in a row.