Article written by Damien Prescod (BIDC)
Export Barbados (BIDC) partially supported the representation of three Barbadian delegates at the largest seafood trade-show in North America in Boston Massachusetts, USA 10-12 March 2024. The North American Seafood Tradeshow is an annual event where proponents of the global seafood industry converge to showcase their service offerings, products and tech innovation. Delegates were privy to discussions on the global seafood industry in relation to international fisheries trade, standards such as BAP, MSC, ASC, FIP, HACCP and GMP. The delegates also attended workshops, presentations and breakout sessions over the three day symposium.
Some of the highlights included the presentation on the influence of the outcome of the 2024 US Elections to the seafood industry. Geo-Politics and the Macro-economics of International Seafood Trade by keynote speaker by Mark Blyth. Another valuable knowledge transfer session was the State of Aquaculture Now & In The Future ably discussed by Dr. Daniel Bennetti Director of the Aquaculture Program at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric and Earth Sciences. Seafood future tech was discussed during the session on the uptake of AI in Monitoring IUU Fishing. Delegates also attended sessions on Gender Equality in Global Fisheries Sectors and Innovative Technology Use in Seafood Processing. The Fisheries Division of Barbados was represented by Ms. Therese Moore and the Markets Division was represented by Ms. Michelle Wiggins.