Seafood festival descends on Vancouver Island
The third annual BC Seafood Expo and the 10th annual BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival is running from June 9-19th, and features renowned speakers, award winning chefs and major names in from the marine, wild fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
For the past decade, locally grown and harvested seafood is celebrated every June with the BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival (June 9-19) during BC Seafood Month. Over 30 events are held, culminating with the main event ‘Comox by the Sea Celebration’, which is being held this year on June 18th.
An exciting addition to the BC Seafood and Shellfish Festival, the Expo runs June 9-10th at Best Western The Westerly Hotel & Convention Centre in Courtenay and explores the value of BC’s marine industries and future opportunities in the industry, with visitors and exhibitors sailing in from around the globe.
“Originally set up as the BC Shellfish Festival and run by the BC Shellfish Growers Association, it went from a small event ten years ago to a very large one after a few years,” said Dr Myron Roth, BC Ministry of Agriculture and chair of the BC Seafood Program Committee. The Festival now includes two days of marine Expo with organized sessions, a Buyers Mission and trade show and seven days of tours and interactive events for the public.
“It grew exponentially,” Dr Roth added. “Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism got involved to help out as the Festival and Expo continued to grow and the ministry joined in last year to support the commerce side.”
Global outlook
Industry focused and science-based, the Expo aims to promote the growth of BC’s seafood production, for both wild fisheries and aquaculture, and to connect producers with international buyers.
“International trade is very important for our seafood industry,” Roth said. “My ministry works closely with the Ministry of International Trade promoting BC Seafood globally and we have a fairly large buyer’s mission coming in from several countries, including Europe, the United States, the Philippines, Japan, China, Korea and Vietnam.”
“The take away from this event is that BC’s seafood is sustainable and the best choice for local and foreign buyers.”
He pointed out that creating the conversation around sustainability of both wild and culture fisheries opens up opportunities for industry expansion.
The event sees leading suppliers, seafood and shellfish aquaculture and wild harvest producers, chefs, exporters and educators descend on the Comox Valley to discuss and explore innovations, challenges and opportunities around the Pacific Northwest seafood sector.
Registrants for the Expo will have access to the tradeshow, joining industry representatives and marine suppliers, as well as the chance of going on site tours.
Key note speakers this year include Dr Dick Beamish, one of Canada’s most decorated fisheries scientists, who has received the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia, and Chef Barton Seaver, author of five books on sustainable seafood and cooking.
More than 50 per cent of BC’s shellfish and Canada’s most productive oyster farms are produced and harvested in the Comox Valley, 40 minutes south of Campbell River.
The festival is sprinkled with live entertainment, delicious seafood, and tours by local seafood growers.
