Oceana CEO Imraan Soomra resigns with immediate effect

Imraan Soomra, the CEO of embattled Cape Town-based fishing group Oceana which also owns the popular Lucky Star tin fish brand, has resigned with immediate effect.

This was confirmed by the group in a JSE Sens statement on Tuesday afternoon.

The timing of Soomra’s resignation raises red flags as it follows several delays in the group publishing its latest financial results and comes just a week after Oceana placed its CFO Hajra Karrim on a “precautionary” suspension.

“Mr Soomra voluntarily submitted his resignation on the terms provided for in his contract of employment and his resignation was accepted by the company,” Oceana’s Sens statement notes.

“Mr Soomra’s resignation as director is with effect from 14 February 2022 and his employment will terminate with effect from the end of February 2022.”

“The company thanks Mr Soomra for his service to it over the years of his employment since 2013 and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” it adds.

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Oceana has appointed Neville Brink as its interim CEO. Brink joined Oceana from Federal Marine in 1995 as the marketing director of what was then the Oceana Fishing Division.

“In 2005, Neville was appointed as managing director of Oceana Lobster and Calamari Fishing, and then to the position of managing director of Blue Continent Products from 1 February 2011,” the group points out.

“With a career spanning more than 30 years in the fishing industry, Neville has a wealth of experience in leading businesses successfully in this industry. He has deep operational knowledge of all areas of the Oceana divisions and is supported by a capable executive team which will play a crucial role to ensure stability through this period of change,” Oceana’s Sens statement adds.