Charlo contractor owed $250K by problem-plagued caviar firm

Luc Bernard, CEO of DBM Inc. contracting company, says DBM is still owed $250,000 by Breviro Caviar, based in Pennfield, N.B.

DBM helped build Breviro Caviar's fish harvesting operation in Charlo in 2013, installing piping, heating systems, and electrical work.

"We've been in contact with their lawyers back and forth and to this date, we're still waiting on payment," said Bernard.

We've heard rumours that there's a possibility of closing down and destroying all the fish that are left.- Luc Bernard, DBM Inc.

DMB Inc. has been in contact with both federal and provincial representatives from the area.

"It's a big concern right now," said Bernard.

"We've heard rumours that there's a possibility of closing down and destroying all the fish that are left there, which doesn't make sense."

Struggle to stay afloat

The president of Breviro Caviar has acknowledged in recent months that he is trying to keep the business going, and the current market has been a challenge.

The shortnose sturgeon harvested by Breviro from the St. John River is considered anendangered species in the United States, and therefore can't be sold in America's lucrative caviar market.

The National Marine Fisheries Service ruled in October the St. John River's sturgeondoes not qualify as a separate species, contrary to Breviro's argument.

The company has received several grants from government-sponsored agencies, including $300,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, $500,000 from the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and $135,000 from the province.

A representative from the department of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries has confirmed that one employee at the Charlooperation is being paid by the department for care of the sturgeon at Breviro's northern facility.

"The project is actually a very good project. It's good for the locals of Charlo, it's good for Restigouche," saidBernard.

He's worriedhe won't be paid his outstanding invoice, but is more concerned for the sturgeon in Charlo, which he fears could be destroyed.

"Roughly 9,000 fish between four and six kilograms each.That could feed 200,000 people two meals. To me, that's a total waste," said Bernard.