MACHIASPORT, Maine (AP) One of the biggest players in salmon farming says it has completed its acquisition of a company that harvests small fish for use as aquaculture feed.

Cooke Inc. of New Brunswick, Canada, says it has taken ownership of Houston-based Omega Protein Corporation. Omega is the largest harvester of menhaden off the East Coast of the United States.

Cooke says it has acquired all outstanding shares of Omega Protein for approximately $500 million. Cooke chief executive officer Glenn Cooke says the merger brings together “two innovative fishery teams.”

Menhaden are used to provide food for salmon in aquaculture operations. They are also used to make fish oil supplements and other products.

Cooke is based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, and has farming operations in Canada, Maine, Washington, Chile and Scotland.