NLIS 3
March 10, 2005
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)
Seafood industry must
emphasize quality and reliability
On the eve of the International
Boston Seafood Show, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture is
mindful that the global seafood marketplace emphasizes not only
product quality, but also reliability.
"Internationally, seafood producers are emphasizing quality in
response to consumer demands for fresher and tastier fish," says
Minister Trevor Taylor. "We saw at the Boston Seafood Show last year
that our competitors were emphasizing words such as freshness,
value, select-grade, purity, tasty, and premium cuts. They are
promoting production standards and traceability capabilities. Food
safety tips are being communicated about the purchase, storage,
handling, and preparation of raw seafood. Global seafood producers
are also investing in new technologies, such as patented processes,
automatic baggers, computerized production lines, and
state-of-the-art freezing equipment."
But reliability and consistency is another theme resonating in
international markets, says the minister. "On the world stage, we
are seeing seafood producers emphasize consistency of supply. They
see the timely and dependable delivery of their product as a
competitive advantage. This commitment to customer service gives
them an edge in a marketplace where the availability of raw material
has diminished. Our seafood industry is facing enough challenges
without weakening our markets by not providing product in a
dependable manner."
Newfoundland and Labrador�s fish products are safe to eat, however,
says the minister, we need to maximize the value of these resources.
"We need to improve the timing of our landings and our production to
meet market demands. In this day and age, we still produce cod block
from fish that should be going to white tablecloth restaurants. This
depresses prices to harvesters, results in lower return from the
marketplace, and weakens our reputation as a high quality fish
producer.
"The Dunne Report found that the provincial government�s efforts to
promote quality consciousness increase the value of our crab fishery
alone by $30 to $40 million annually. We recognize the importance of
superior grade products and have responded by hiring more
inspectors, by modernizing legislation, and by generally
strengthening our Quality Assurance Program."
The 2005 International Boston Seafood Show is being held March
13-15.
Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-3733 or (709)
690-6047
International
Boston Seafood Show
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the
International Boston Seafood Show?
Seafood producers from all over the world exhibit at the Boston
Seafood Show, which is an annual opportunity for seafood industry
buyers and sellers to get together. Show participants benefit from
improved buying and selling opportunities. Buyers for restaurants,
supermarkets, wholesalers, and importers meet with representatives
of fishing, aquaculture, transportation, equipment, and packaging
companies, as well as fields such as government, education, and
research. All types of seafood, prepared in a dizzying array of
delicacies, can be sampled. An extensive range of materials are
available to take home, from brochures and videos, to industry
directories and recipes.
How big is the Boston Seafood Show?
As North America�s preeminent seafood trade show, over 35,000 people
from around the world visit over a three-day period the over 1,200
exhibitor booths from more than 90 countries. In addition to
industry representatives, Canadian federal and provincial officials
have traditionally attended. The 2005 show is being held March
13-15.
What presence does Newfoundland and Labrador have at the show?
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has participated in the
Boston Seafood Show since 1982. The province has an exhibitor booth
that is available to Newfoundland and Labrador seafood companies,
which have individual booth spaces and graphics. They also share a
meeting room and the services of a seafood chef.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, as the lead exhibitor,
is responsible for the overall feel and look of the exhibit. Staff
provides general information on the province�s seafood industry. A
range of background information is distributed, including the
Newfoundland and Labrador Seafood Processors Directory, the Seafood
Industry Year in Review, and fact sheets on species produced in this
province (such as crab, shrimp, mussels, whelk, herring, mackerel).
The province also hosts an evening reception that provides invitees
from all over the world with the opportunity to network with
prospective business contacts while sampling food contributed by
Newfoundland and Labrador seafood companies. This occurs amidst the
backdrop of a multi-media presentation that emphasizes the
industry�s professionalism, diversity, and the variety of premium
quality seafood that it produces.
What other trade shows does the Department of Fisheries and
Aquaculture participate in?
The department has a smaller presence at two other major
international seafood shows: the U.S. West Coast Seafood Show (Long
Beach, California) and the European Seafood Exhibition (Brussels).
It has aquaculture exhibits at the AquaFair in New Brunswick and
biannually at AquaNor in Trondheim, Norway. It also participates in
local events such as the Marine Show, the Newfoundland Liquor
Corporation Winefest, and the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry
Association (NAIA) Trade Show and Conference, among others.
What�s new for 2005?
This year the Boston Seafood Show is being held in a new location
and has been split into two events. The Seafood Processing American
show, which will be held in conjunction with the primary event in
the same building, will separate processing equipment exhibits from
seafood exhibits.
Where can I get further information about the Boston Seafood
Show?
Information is available online at
www.bostonseafood.com.
2005 03 10
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