The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will continue its long tradition of participation in the International Boston Seafood Show again in 2009. This is the preeminent seafood show in North America and provides an opportunity to meet with key industry representatives from across the globe. This year�s show takes place from March 15 to 17 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will be attending the show for the first time this year. "I am very much looking forward to attending the International Boston Seafood Show for the first time and meeting the industry participants from around the world," said the minister. "This is an excellent opportunity to promote our province�s high quality seafood products."

Promotion is more important now than ever in light of the global economic downturn and its potential impact on seafood sales in the United States (US) marketplace. Boston is a major distribution point for seafood products entering the US. As such, it is important to have effective business relationships there at this critical time in the province�s seafood industry.

"Despite a downturn in the global economy, the province�s seafood products have actually fared well in the retail market in the United States," said Minister Hedderson. "Our government hopes to see this trend continue, making it all the more important to connect our industry with buyers in Boston at this important time of year when we�re moving into the fishing season."

While in Boston, the minister will host the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry reception and meet with industry representatives. He will also attend events hosted by the Governments of Canada, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nunavut and a number of other industry-sponsored events. The minister will meet with representatives from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, other fisheries ministers, provincial seafood processors and their key clients. Minister Hedderson will also tour a Northern Harvest processing facility at the Marine Industrial Park in Boston.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will host a Newfoundland and Labrador reception in Boston on March 14 for industry participants attending the show. Approximately 500 industry representatives from across the globe are expected to be in attendance. Seafood producers within the province provide the seafood products served at this event.

"I understand that the Newfoundland and Labrador reception is one of the best attended events at the show," said Minister Hedderson. "This makes for a valuable networking opportunity that is anticipated by our provincial industry representatives every year. It gives us an opportunity to showcase our quality seafood products and demonstrate the best of our hospitality to the global seafood industry. We anticipate that our reception will again be a highlight of the show."

The provincial reception will also feature the winner of the student seafood cooking competition which was held at the campus of Collage of the North Atlantic on February 21, 2009. The winners of this year�s competition were Reg Dyke and his instructor Chef Todd Smith from Academy Canada in St. John�s. Reg will prepare mussel consomm� and rolled baked yellowtail flounder at this year�s show.

Every year, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture contributes $10,000 to assist with the general organization of the competition and the cost of prizes. First prize is an opportunity to attend the International Boston Seafood Show and demonstrate preparation of the winning appetizer and main course.

This year�s show will also be attended by the hosts of the Rogers Television program One Chef: One Critic, Steve Watson and Karl Wells, who served as judges for the student seafood cooking competition.

"Clearly we have a full agenda for this year�s show," said Minister Hedderson. "I very much look forward to working with our local industry to promote the best of Newfoundland and Labrador�s seafood."

- 30 -

Media contact:

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