News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Several New Brunswick seafood companies are participating in the world’s largest seafood expo, being held April 26-28 in Brussels, Belgium.

“It is wonderful to see New Brunswick seafood being featured on the world stage,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. “Expanding global markets for our fish and seafood products helps create sustainable jobs here at home.”

The Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global events attract more than 25,000 buyers and suppliers of fresh, packaged and value-added seafood products, equipment and services from 150 countries.

New Brunswick companies being featured in the Atlantic Canadian pavilion include:

• Westmorland Fisheries of Cap-Pelé;

• Partner Seafood of Dieppe;

• Michel and Charles LeBlanc Fisheries / Intercambio of Cap-Pelé;

• Produits Belle Baie of Caraquet; and

• Oceanblue Fisheries of Dieppe.

In addition, Cooke Aquaculture of Blacks Harbour will have a stand-alone booth at the expo, and Island Fishermen Cooperative Association of Lamèque will exhibit with its European partners.

“New Brunswick has some of the world’s best seafood products and has shown tremendous leadership in sustainable management practices,” said Doucet. “These companies’ participation in the Brussels expo has an enormous impact on our ability to attract European customers, expand our markets and create more jobs for New Brunswickers.”

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is opening new markets, providing Canada with access to the world’s largest importer of fish and seafood. Tariff reductions of up to 20 per cent for seafood products present new export opportunities in a lucrative market.

The presence of New Brunswick companies at international expos and other global activities is part of the department’s continuing strategy to pursue new markets and help increase export sales.