About Us

Eric Winston Gant is considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on Geoduck Clam Aquaculture. In 1977, Mr. Gant helped to pioneer the wild Geoduck Clam Fishery in British Columbia, Canada, as a Founding Director of the Underwater Harvesters’ Association (UHA). The UHA consists of all the licensed Geoduck Fisherman in B. C. In 1993, he pioneered the development of the Geoduck Clam Culture Industry in BC as the Founding President of FAN Seafoods Ltd. FAN spent approximately $15 Million developing commercially viable geoduck culture technology. In the year 2000, Mr. Gant built his own shellfish hatchery. He has been a guest lecturer at the Vancouver Island University, and the University of British Columbia. He has also made presentations at various conferences in the United States, Canada, Thailand, and China. He is presently developing joint ventures with several First Nations bands as part of their land claim settlement in Canada. Together they will be securing substantial sub-tidal grow out sites in addition to what Mr. Gant already owns. He is presently looking for international financing for $20 Million.

Eric’s strengths are: Activator, Ideation, Relator, Intellection, Individualization

Lourdes Gant is the co-owner of Manatee Holdings Ltd and is ranked by Chatelaine Magazine to be one of Canada’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs. She is also one of the Most Influential Sustainable Aquaculture Businesswoman 2023 (Western Canada) organized by Acquisition International that was launched in 2010, it has a circulation of 108,000 people from across 170+ countries. The magazine regularly attracts editorial submissions from some of the biggest players in the global corporate landscape, including KPMG, EY, PwC and Deloitte.) She is a wife, a mother of a teenager, and a Siamese cat and lives in Vancouver Island Canada.

Lourdes’ strengths are:  Focus, Relator, Achiever, Maximizer, Discipline

Ahmet Yilmaz joined Manatee in 2018 as Senior Hatchery Technician. Before joining Manatee, he was a mussel farmer in Turkey.

He had managerial experiences in a variety of industries including private security, bakery, and gas stations.

He is a hard worker, a fast learner, and most of all he is a diligent worker.

Ahmet’s strengths are: Harmony, Achiever, Maximizer, Futuristic, Learner

Jessie McMillan joined Manatee in 2022 as a Field Supervisor. Before joining Manatee Jessie was a chef in Vancouver, Montreal, New York, and the Comox Valley.

Jessie has a strong track record of conceptualizing, building, managing, and evolving successful hospitality businesses with a strong eye towards sustainability. His pragmatic approach, creative problem solving, and enthusiasm for rolling up his sleeves makes for a great match with Manatee’s philosophy.

Jessie’s strengths are: Analytical, Context, Achiever, Relator, and Individualization