Fisheries and Aquaculture
April 30
 
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
 

Province’s Seafood Industry Well Represented at European Seafood Exposition

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to inform members that I had the great privilege of attending the European Seafood Exposition last week. My officials and I joined over 30 representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry, including the Barry Group, Clearwater Seafoods, Icewater Seafoods, the Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company, Newfound Resources, Notre Dame Seafoods, Ocean Choice International, Whitecap Seafoods International, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.
 
The European Seafood Exposition is one of the many important opportunities to market fish globally. European countries in particular imported a total of $23.7 billion of seafood in 2012. The European Union has over 500 million people with a high level of fish consumption – this offers tremendous opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador. Given the potential benefits of the anticipated Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement being negotiated between Canada and the European Union, it is important for our province to maintain a strong presence in this marketplace.
 
Mr. Speaker, approximately 25,000 buyers, suppliers, media and other seafood-industry professionals from over 140 countries attended the show to meet face-to-face and do business. I can tell you it was very impressive to witness first-hand.
 
Mr. Speaker, our government works very hard with the industry to promote Newfoundland and Labrador seafood at every available opportunity. In Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future we once again demonstrated this commitment by allocating $2.6 million for seafood marketing. This is in addition to our participation at seafood shows throughout the world, including Europe, Boston, and China.
 
Other examples of our commitment to seafood marketing include: approximately $80 million has been offered in the form of inventory financing for seafood companies; $11.5 million in support of a seafood marketing council and seafood sales consortia; $2.8 million for processing and marketing services; and, $1.6 million for market intelligence initiatives. An indicator of our success is that over 65 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador seafood has been, or will soon be, eco-certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC label represents the gold standard in the certification of sustainable fisheries.
 
Mr. Speaker, in partnership with our government, the seafood industry has made tremendous progress and there is much more opportunity ahead in the future. Our commitment to this vital industry is strong in every respect.
 
2013 04 30                                        1:45 p.m.