Minister Tootoo Leading Canadian Delegation at Seafood Expo North America 2016

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 4, 2016) - The Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, is proud to lead the delegation of Canadian fisheries and aquaculture representatives and industry members at Seafood Expo North America, March 6-8, 2016, Boston, Massachusetts.

The largest trade exposition of its kind in North America, Seafood Expo North America attracts thousands of seafood buyers and sellers from around the globe. The exposition presents an excellent opportunity for Canadian businesses to brand and showcase their high quality products and to expand their market access.

Seafood Expo North America also represents an excellent venue to release the 2015 trade figures for Canada's exports of fish and seafood products. Canadian exports continued to grow once again, with total sales of $6 billion in 2015. This represents a record high growth rate with an overall increase of $1 billion or 21% from the previous year. The United States remains our largest export market, accounting for 65% of fish and seafood exports, at a value of $3.8 billion.

In a further example of the Government of Canada's commitment to working closely with all orders of government, Minister Tootoo is looking forward to productive meetings not only with fish and seafood industry representatives, but also his planned meetings with a number of provincial and territorial Ministers and Premiers from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Nunavut, as well as international partners, who are also attending Seafood Expo North America.

Quick Facts

• Fish and seafood is Canada's third largest food export, after wheat and canola.
• Canada's aquaculture industry is increasingly important to our economy, contributing more than $2 billion in total economic activity.
• Approximately 85% of all fish and seafood landed by Canadian harvesters is exported.
• Canada's most valuable exports by species are lobster, snow/queen crab, shrimp and Atlantic salmon.

Quotes

"From ocean to ocean to ocean and everywhere in between, Canadians are relying on our fish and seafood industry for food and to boost our economy. Our fishery employs more than 76,000 Canadians with our fish and seafood exports posting a record growth rate of $1 billion. Canadians can also be proud of our country's international reputation for responsibly managed fisheries as we continue to deliver our safe, high-quality fish and seafood products to dinner tables everywhere."

- The Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"The United States has traditionally been and remains an important market for Canadian fish and seafood and Seafood Expo North America continues to represent a world class stage for our Canadian fish and seafood. Minister Tootoo's participation has a significant impact for our industry, demonstrating that we are working together to provide well managed, sustainable fisheries and premium quality fish and seafood products. We are pleased with the Government of Canada's strong leadership and collaboration when it comes to preserving and promoting Canada's world class fish and seafood."

- Michelle Boudreau, President, Fisheries Council of Canada

"Canada is a world leader in responsible and sustainable seafood farming and we are proud to showcase the full diversity of our healthy and nutritious products at Seafood Expo North America. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Tootoo's hands on leadership - and the support of the Government of Canada for aquaculture - is most welcomed at this highly valued global event."

- Ruth Salmon, Executive Director, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

Associated Links

• For more information about Canadian fish and seafood exports and other useful statistics, consult the Statistics section of the Fisheries and Oceans website at: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/stats-eng.htm
• Read more about Canada's commitment to sustainability in our wild capture fishery and aquaculture sectors at Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Sustainable Seafood web site

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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