Newfoundlanders happy with Boston attendance

Odd Grydeland The only concern raised by the eastern Canada delegates was the frustration over not enough Atlantic salmon production capacity in the form of access to new sites, as described by The Coaster;Several officials from the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) attended the International Boston Seafood Show that was held in that Massachusetts city from March 14 to 16. The Boston area of the US is a major distribution point for seafood products entering the United States. In addition, the US represents the single largest market fro Newfoundland and Labrador seafood products. Cyr Couturier, the Executive Director of the NAIA said that the officials attended to represent shellfish and finfish producers in the province. Approximately 20 mussel, salmon, trout and char producers were represented by the NAIA at the famous annual seafood show. About eight Newfoundland companies were also in Boston to promote their products and to meet with buyers, old and new. Mr. Couturier said that the Boston Seafood Show has two key advantages for stakeholders in the Newfoundland aquaculture industry. "The seafood show provides buyers and sellers the opportunity to network and discuss business at the event, especially during the "must attend" event of the show - the Newfoundland reception. "Over 500 industry representatives from across the globe were in attendance at this major social activity which was hosted by Clyde Jackman, Newfound-land's Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Newfoundland producers met with buyers from the United States, Canada, Taiwan, China and Japan." The seafood show also gives Newfoundland producers and industry a chance to meet with government and politicians to discuss future needs and constraints in the industry and, according to Mr. Couturier, the 2010 seafood show was no exception to this advantage. He said, 'We had the opportunity to meet with senior officials in the Newfoundland provincial government such as the Honourable Clyde Jackman as well as federal Fisheries Minister, the Honourable Gail Shea. "We also met with Peter Mackay, the Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Minister Keith Ashford, the federal Minister for ACOA. "These politicians are strong supporters of sustainable aquaculture in our province, and the opportunity to bend their ears on issues and constraints was not wasted by any means." Mr. Couturier said that there was some good news and some bad news stemming from the seafood show. "It was evident from talking with buyers from different regions of the world that both farmed salmon and trout are strong in the international marketplaces," he said. "However, the bad news is that demand far exceeds supply now and, without more farm sites to grow production, we will lose market share to cheaper imported salmon from Norway and from Chile when that country rebounds in the aquaculture picture in a few years."