H.Hopkins Ltd.

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H.Hopkins Ltd. In 1941, Herbert Hezikah Hopkins bought a Lobster cannery in the village of Port Morien, Nova Scotia. Herb loved the

industry and started work as a boy.

It is still in operation today with the fourth generation working there. Herbert Hezikiah Hopkins

Herb was born in 1905 at Bear Point, Shelburne County, N.S. His father operated a

fish business here and had the first lobster canning operation. In 1927, he bought a lobster

cannery in Mabou, Cape Breton and operated this into the 1940’s. During these

years, he also operated a fish business at

home in Woods Harbour. In 1941, he

purchased a lobster cannery called Acadia Products in Port Morien, N.S. from

David Thomas Leslie. For the first year Herb was in Morien, he and two of

his friends from Woods Harbour lived aboard the lobster boat they used

to run the operation. The story goes that when the boat had to sail to other

ports to pick up lobster, the men who did not go but stayed to buy lobster were left

homeless. This was a seasonal operation so they worked here in the

summer months and returned home to work in the winter. A few of the men met &

married local women and raised their families in Morien. Herb, being the family

man that he was, would often buy homes for these men and let them pay the home

from the wages they earned. He also helped the fishermen by lending them money

to purchase boats and supplies. Again the fishermen would pay Herb as they could. Over the next few years Herb built “the cookhouse” for himself and his out of town

workers to live. As many as ten men lived here as well as a lady named Mrs. Butts

who cleaned and cooked. Most of the salesmen would make sure that they showed

up at lunchtime so they could be treated to Mrs. Butts’ fine cooking. The

building is still in existence and serves as the office for the operation in Port Morien. My uncles office today is the former office of my great grandfather. My

father’s office is the bedroom of the resident cook . Over the years, numerous

buildings have been built to help the operation grow with the changing industry. In 1943, Herb purchased land and a building in Louisbourg where the present fish

plant stands today. In 1944, a piece of land was purchased in Glace Bay and in 1965; the Lipkus Fish

Plant was bought where the present operation is today. In 1974, Herb passed away but the three locations are still operated by his sons

Clifford, Glenn and Bill. Brad, another son, worked here all his life until his death

in1996. Edward the youngest son is a fisherman and fishes out of Port Morien. Over the years, Hopkins has bought and processed ground fish (cod, haddock,

Pollack, hake, halibut, and flounder) mackerel, herring, lobster and crab. Ground fish and lobster were all processed. Herb had extensive experience as a seafood buyer which he passed on to all of his

sons. Kenneth MacDonald wrote in his book Port Morien: Pages from the Past

“Probably no other business since the days of the coal mines has had such a

profound impact on the people of Port Morien as the Hopkins Fish Plant. Three

generations of fishermen have sold their catch to the Hopkins Company and as

many have raised their families on salaries earned at the Hopkins plant”

Over the years

hundreds of men and women have been employed by H. Hopkins Ltd. A local

fisherman named Thomas Bray has written a book on Herb.

We have a new girl in the mix. Meet Paige who is a lil different colour. Kind of a pastel shade of the usual green but ...
25/05/2026

We have a new girl in the mix. Meet Paige who is a lil different colour. Kind of a pastel shade of the usual green but with blue highlights here and there !! Emily decided to adopt her for the season to keep her safe. Thanks Em 🥰

New edition to our Zoo crew!!! Models Emily and Steve showing off this big boy !! 7.2 lbs caught in Morien by Gerard Th...
23/05/2026

New edition to our Zoo crew!!! Models Emily and Steve showing off this big boy !! 7.2 lbs caught in Morien by Gerard Thomas . Stay tuned for his name. Hercules it is … a name that means being known for strength and being impressive specimens 🦞

And so we begin. Our first Zoo crew member. We will call her Sheila the Princess Peach since she was originally named Sh...
22/05/2026

And so we begin. Our first Zoo crew member. We will call her Sheila the Princess Peach since she was originally named Sheila and is such a pretty peach colour and she will be looked after by Steve Peach. Fitting !!! Thanks to Justin Morrison for giving us this lil lady 🦞😍

19/05/2026

So after an on again off again on again season all the traps are set. Good start with good catches and a good price. Good luck fishers. Let’s get er done 🦞🦞🦞🦞

05/02/2026

Edie and I are saddened by the news of Ricky Dixon’s passing. We worked along side of him for a few years and he was always a hard worker and an all around great guy. Everyone, staff and fishermen, respected him .Condolences to his family. May he rest peacefully 🕊️
JoAnne

The lobster trap Christmas Tree has made its way to Port Morien. Thank you to all the Morienites that made this happen !...
09/12/2025

The lobster trap Christmas Tree has made its way to Port Morien. Thank you to all the Morienites that made this happen !!! You all are the best ❤️🎄🦞

15/11/2025
Another perfect picture taken by Janet !! This one has Glennie boy taking a look around to make sure all the 746 locks( ...
28/08/2025

Another perfect picture taken by Janet !! This one has Glennie boy taking a look around to make sure all the 746 locks( as Katherine said in her post) were locked up . They spent countless hours there making sure everything was “ tickedy boo “ in the words of Uncle Glenn. We miss them and talk about them everyday. Things will never be the same 😞

02/08/2025

776 likes, 9 comments. “Cleaning up the ocean while Lobster Fishing!”

02/08/2025

286 likes, 8 comments. “Preserving the Maine Lobster industry!”

02/08/2025

268 likes, 15 comments. “Lumpy bycatch from Maine Lobster Fishing”

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