Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

BOSTON SEAFOOD SHOW REPORT

March, 2010

Mike McGeoghegan (President, PEIFA) attended the 2010 Boston Seafood show and the following is a summary of his experience:

March 13^th: Attended the Newfoundland reception, it was a packed room with approx 200 in attendance with a number of chefs preparing all kinds of Atlantic Seafood.
March 14^th: Boston Convention Center: Official opening of the Atlantic Pavilion. Toured the show all day and stopped at numerous booths that were crying for lobster and could not get any. Demand is high and inventory is non-existent.
- That evening, the NB reception, also packed with approx 140 in attendance and all kinds of seafood being served.
March 15^th: Boston Convention Center: Another day of visiting booths and asking questions, gauging interest in PEI lobster. The message was the same, no one has any and any they did have was sold fast, really fast.
- That evening, attended the PEI reception at the Fairmont, was well attended with approx 85 in attendance. This was a good chance to touch base with our counterparts in NS and some of the PEI processors. The only thing they could complain about was the exchange rate: they had nothing else. This was frustrating in that, instead of taping into the new opportunities that are there, the PEI processors decided to deal with the status quo, at least that’s what it looked like and that’s the way they were talking.
March 16^thand 17^th: headed for home. Made a number of stops in Maine including boat builder shops, supply stores, engine shops in order to gauge the attitudes and feelings of this year’s pricing. The past two years of low prices have brought the boat building industry to its knees as it has on PEI as well.

Overall, it was a very informative trip and great to see and hear the huge demand for our Lobster all over the world. The traditional “take what you’re given” attitude by processors has to stop. Fishermen can’t survive with this system. New places and markets are available along with higher prices. It’s a win-win for everyone!

This year was well attended by PEI processors both lobster and mussel, along with Government officials and PEI fishermen. In all, there was 16,000 companies from 90 countries from all over the world. The hallways at the show were jam-packed. Unlike last year, where it was said that you could have rolled a bowling ball down the aisles and not hit anyone.

This was submitted on behalf of Mike McGeoghegan, President, PEIFA.

The Boston Seafood Show Mike McGeoghegan

Displays of seafoodThe Lobster Council of Canada Chief Bernard, Minigoo FisheriesDisplay Holland College, Culinary Institute Display Pasturel Display