Newfoundland and Labrador Delegation to Attend Annual International Boston Seafood Show

A delegation from Newfoundland and Labrador, led by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will experience the immense scope of the world seafood market first-hand next week while attending the annual International Boston Seafood Show. The trade show and conference, from March 11 to 13, is the largest seafood event in North America and creates opportunities for international buyers and stakeholders to network and promote their businesses and products. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will have a booth at the Atlantic Canada pavilion and over 50 industry representatives from this province will be in attendance.

“This is one of the greatest opportunities we have as a province to showcase the seafood products that Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer the world,” said Minister King. “Buyers from across the globe will have the opportunity to see what our province has to offer, which in turn provides the potential for opening up new markets for the future. I am thoroughly looking forward to representing the Provincial Government at the show, but more importantly supporting our province’s industry representatives who are competing on the world stage.”

The United States is the top market for Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood industry, accounting for 37 per cent of the province’s total fish exports in 2011.

The Newfoundland and Labrador delegation will also host the annual Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry reception on March 10. The reception is much anticipated and considered to be a premier event of the seafood show. More than 500 industry representatives and guests will be in attendance and seafood producers from the province will showcase the high quality products from Newfoundland and Labrador.

For industry participants, the show exhibits on a grand scale the hot, new seafood products and trends hitting the market. It allows participants to make connections with the right people to help expand seafood business. Industry will also find ideas and strategies that will increase their profits and maintain or improve competitive edge.

“When they return, industry participants and local buyers always highlight for us the multiple opportunities that exist to connect with the industry, see new products, and uncover new ideas,” said Minister King. “The Provincial Government is proud to lead the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation to the International Boston Seafood Show once again in 2012. This represents one of many important opportunities we participate in to show the world the delicious seafood we’re known for as a province and give others a taste of our famous Newfoundland and Labrador hospitality at the same time.”

More information on the International Boston Seafood Show can be found at www.bostonseafood.com

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

2012 03 09                                   11:15 a.m.