The nautically inspired Nova Scotia Seafood flag was flying high during Seafood Expo North America in Boston, where Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell introduced the 45°N 63°W brand designed to raise the value and awareness of Canadian Maritime province’s bountiful product range.
“The coordinates 45 degrees north, 63 degrees west [the center point in the province] aren’t mere numbers. Not any spot on the map. This is our code. A place where those who visit forever feel the pull of our tides. A little removed from the rest, but connected to the world by the waters of the Atlantic,” said Colwell. “This is where we are. This is who we are. Nova Scotia Seafood. Pure.”
Before and after remarks made by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell (center), sisters Cassie (far right) and Maggie MacDonald entertained Nova Scotia Seafood reception attendees with lively Celtic and Acadian-style fiddle, clogging, straw-beating and piano entertainment.The Minister seized an opportune moment during the Nova Scotia Seafood reception at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center to make the announcement. The event was attended by a large number of importers, wholesalers, other buyers and sellers of fishery products from Canada’s leading seafood exporting region. Harvesting from blue waters touching approximately 7,500 kilometers of coastline, producers in Nova Scotia shipped 146,100 tons of product last year that generated $1.8 billion in sales, accounting for more than 27% of the nation’s $6.6 billion in total seafood exports.
“Nova Scotia is home to a diverse range of superior quality seafood and value-added products – from world famous Canadian hard-shelled lobster and coldwater shrimp, to snow crab, scallops, white fish and sea cucumber,” said Colwell. “The superior flavor of our seafood is prized around the world. The flavor and premium quality result from the icy temperatures of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.”
Those at the reception were pleased to put the Minister’s comments to the taste test as they enjoyed a sumptuous buffet that included lobster claw and knuckle, crab and shrimp, as well as haddock, ocean perch, cod, mackerel, oysters and chowder. Tidal Bay wine, which “pairs well with seafood and ocean views,” was served to complement the feast, which was appropriately accentuated with traditional and contemporary Celtic and Acadian folk music performed by sisters Cassie and Maggie MacDonald.
Nova Scotia is the primary supplier of live and frozen lobsters from Canada. The celebrated marine crustacean by far ranks as the top seafood item in value terms, bringing in over $953 million last year. Crab is No. 2 at $225 million, followed by scallops at $241 million and shrimp at $113 million.
The Maritime province exports seafood to more than 100 countries around the world. The USA is the largest market, buying about $1 billion worth annually. China ranks second at $255 million (up from just $14 million in 2009!), followed by the European Union at $204 million.
Exports to Europe, the world’s largest importer of fish and seafood, are expected to rise appreciably as tariffs are eliminated in June under Canada’s Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU. At the moment duties for frozen lobster and processed lobster are as high as 16% and 20%, respectively. Frozen shrimp and scallops carry respective tariffs of 12% and 8%, while cooked and peeled shrimp is taxed at 20% and snow crab is assessed up to 8%. – Reported by John Saulnier
