ESE success for Seafood Scotland – Fishupdate.com

ESE success for Seafood Scotland Published:  10 May, 2006

THE Seafood Scotland (SFS) Seafood Bar at the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) in Brussels has yet again proved a huge success, hosting a ministerial reception, the launch of the commercial strategy for nephrops, and a media breakfast.

For the fourth year running, the Seafood Bar, manned this year by the Scottish Olympic Chefs Team, has been cooking up a storm for eager seafood lovers at the ESE,which runs until tomorrow. With a range of tasty dishes featuring top quality Scottish langoustine, mackerel, haddock and classic Cullen Skink, scores of visitors and exhibitors queued up for tasters throughout the show.

A separate area of the Seafood Bar was set aside for Scottish Pavilion exhibitors and key contacts, giving them access to a seated VIP area, where they could sample the seafood on offer, network, and hold business meetings.

Iain MacSween, Chairman of Seafood Scotland explained that the organisation plays a vital role in supporting the Scottish seafood industry, which employs around 15,000 people and last year landed a total of 440,971 tonnes worth over £370 million. He said: “Despite some decommissioning in the whitefish sector and a lot of negative publicity in the last few years, the Scottish industry has adapted to the new challenges and is managing its fisheries responsibly and sustainably.”

Launching the Commercial Strategy for nephrops, Scottish Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie, highlighted, as we report elsewhere on Fishupdate, the importance of Scottish langoustines to the economy, and explained that the Strategy would assist fishermen and processors to maximise that value. It aims to create a wider market for Scottish langoustines and strengthen product identity.

Mr Finnie also spoke to international media representatives at a Scottish breakfast held at the SFS Seafood Bar today, where journalists were served a selection of Scottish dishes and given the chance to talk to Scottish fishermen and processors about their work.

The Seafood Bar is funded by FIFG with support from the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Development International and Aberdeenshire Council.

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