Fisheries and Aquaculture
April 22, 2008

Provincial Government Continuing Market Development Efforts in Europe

The Provincial Government continues to support a strong provincial presence at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels, Belgium. This is part of its commitment and efforts to find new market opportunities throughout the world for Newfoundland and Labrador seafood products. It takes place April 22 to 24.

"Europe is a good marketplace for Newfoundland and Labrador as many of our own seafood products are in very high demand," said the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "We will continue to take advantage of every opportunity to develop new relationships with European buyers and to further understand the dynamics of those markets. To that end, government is pleased to again support our province�s efforts to make the most of the world�s largest seafood event in Brussels."

Representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will be attending the exposition and the Provincial Government has sponsored a booth that will display the diversity and quality of provincial seafood products. All Newfoundland and Labrador companies have been invited to take advantage of the booth for their own promotional purposes.

The Provincial Government is also assisting Sunrise Fish Farms Limited in its marketing efforts in Europe. The company has been approved for approximately $10,000 to find new mussel markets and opportunities within that region. This funding will be used to attend the event in Brussels and to research and develop new mussel products and marketing strategies. This funding has been made available through the Aquaculture Marketing Intelligence Assistance Program of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"At present time, there is a massive opportunity for the export of mussels into Europe," said Minister Rideout. "This was confirmed during my recent visits to Norway and Chile. Therefore, we must take advantage of the event in Brussels to explore these opportunities and develop mechanisms by which we can capitalize on them. To that end, we are pleased to assist Sunrise Fish Farms Limited with their efforts and their visit to the exposition in Brussels."

"The fishery is a global industry and international markets continue to become increasingly competitive," said Minister Rideout. "We must take advantage of every opportunity to increase our province�s visibility within the global marketplace. Our government will continue to support and facilitate such opportunities."

In the last two budgets, the Provincial Government has invested $100,000 to enhance the promotion of the province�s seafood products and develop a broader range of international market opportunities through increased participation in trade exhibitions throughout the world. Since such time, the Province has strengthened market opportunities in Europe and Russia, and has extended its efforts to China.

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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca

2008 04 22                                                        11:20 a.m.


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