Canadian Farmed Seafood Showcased at International Seafood Show in Boston

OTTAWA, March 8, 2012 /CNW/ - A delegation of Canada's seafood farmers will travel to Boston, Massachusetts for the 2012 International Boston Seafood Show. Taking place on March 11-13, 2012, the annual show is the largest and most anticipated seafood event on North America.

Over 25 members of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), including producers of finfish and shellfish as well as regional aquaculture associations from across Canada will be at the show to promote Canadian farmed seafood to an expected attendance of 18,000 top buyers and sellers in the North American seafood industry.

"This show is an important one for our industry," explained Ruth Salmon, CAIA Executive Director. "Nearly 70 percent (valued at $552M) of Canada's farmed seafood is exported. While we've seen notable increase in exports to Asian markets - namely China, Taiwan and Japan - the United States is still our most important export market."

To maximize exposure at the show, CAIA members from across Canada will ship a large volume of fresh farmed seafood to Boston where it will be served from a live cooking station at the CAIA exhibition booth. Boston-based Chef Scott Patnode will be busy throughout the three-day event preparing samples of Canadian farmed sablefish, Atlantic and Coho Salmon, salmon caviar, oysters, clams, mussels, scallops and Arctic charr for visiting retailers, distributors and importers to taste first hand.

"Our aquaculture industry has a great story to tell these buyers. Canada has a reputation for quality seafood grown in clean, pristine waters and to the highest standards. Seafood is farmed year-round and, coupled with the advantages of market proximity, we also deliver on freshness," said Salmon.

Finfish and shellfish farming generate $2.1 billion for Canada's national economy. It takes place in every province and the Yukon Territory providing 14,500 jobs in coastal, rural and First Nations communities, where other industries are in decline. To learn more visit www.aquaculture.ca.

Sheri Beaulieu
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
[email protected]
613-853-0612