Nova Scotia Companies Shine at Seafood Expo

NOTE: A list of seafood companies participating in the Nova Scotia pavilion and observing the show follows this release.

Nova Scotia’s success as Canada’s leading seafood exporter is being showcased at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, March 11-13.

Premier Stephen McNeil and Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell are joining nine exhibitors who will participate in a Nova Scotia pavilion at the largest seafood show on the continent. Their participation is in addition to four companies attending as observers.

“Nova Scotia’s robust presence at this seafood show speaks to the leadership our industry has shown in growing the value of our fishery exports to nearly $2 billion in 2017,” said Premier McNeil. “I am looking forward to working with Nova Scotia companies to continue to grow our export performance so we can create more jobs and economic opportunities in our coastal and rural communities.”

Nova Scotia’s pavilion is part of a regional presence through the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy, a partnership between the Atlantic provinces and the federal government. “Nova Scotia’s international brand, 45 North 63 West, will be front and centre at this year’s show,” said Mr. Colwell. “Together, with the Nova Scotia companies, we’ll be sharing the story of our premium quality seafood as we build on our performance as an export powerhouse.”

The United States remains the largest market for Nova Scotia’s seafood exports, worth more than $996 million in 2017. It is followed by China and the European Union. Lobster had the largest export value in 2017 at $947 million, followed by crab at $314 million, scallops at $144 million and shrimp at $126 million.

While in Boston, Premier McNeil will also promote trade and investment in Nova Scotia, including:

• meetings with business people in the life-sciences and seafood sectors to discuss opportunities for investment in Nova Scotia
• meeting with David Alward, Canada’s consul-general in Boston and a discussion on expanding New England-Atlantic Canada trade with the New England-Canada Business Council
• discussing export growth at Nova Scotia Business Inc.’s Scale-Up Lab in Cambridge
• meeting with leaders in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program To follow Nova Scotia’s participation at the Seafood Expo visit the Nova Scotia Seafood Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NSSeafood .

Nova Scotia pavilion exhibitors:

• Bluenose Seafood Inc., Sambro, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Cedar Bay Grilling Company Ltd., Blandford, Halifax Regional Municipality
• First Catch Fisheries Company Ltd., Halifax
• Fisher King Seafoods Ltd., Lower Sackville, Halifax regional Municipality
• Gidney Fisheries Ltd., Digby Neck, Digby Co.
• Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., Louisbourg, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
• Sea Star Seafood Ltd., Clark’s Harbour, Shelburne Co.
• Top Claw Lobster and Seafood Company, Newellton, Shelburne Co.
• World Link Food Distributors Inc., Goffs, Halifax Regional Municipality

Nova Scotia observers:

• Alscott International Packaging, Dartmouth
• Atlantic Sea Cucumber Ltd., Hacketts Cove, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Riverside Lobster International Inc., Meteghan River, Digby Co.
• Sealand Freezers, Hammonds Plains, Halifax Regional Municipality