A group of Team Canada Atlantic delegates representing various seafood and aquaculture companies toured the Fulton Fish Market in New York early this morning. The largest market of its kind in New York City, Fulton Fish Market consists of 50 fish companies selling to buyers from all over North America.
"The Fulton Fish Market represents a one billion dollar industry," said Philip Sheehan, Senior Vice President of New York City's Economic Development Corporation, who lead the group's tour. "Atlantic Canadian seafood has a good reputation within this market and there's a lot of opportunity for more business to be done here."
Team Canada Atlantic delegates had a chance to see the level of activity at the market and talk to many of the fish mongers on site.
"This market is a lot like the stock market - business is based on supply and demand," said Frank Minio, of Smitty's Fillet House at the market. "We handle between forty and fifty thousand pounds of fish here each day. During peak times, upwards of 25 per cent of that fish is from Canada."
Prince Edward Island seafood processors participating on the trade mission are Palmer Seafood of Ellerslie and Prince Edward Aqua Farms of Kensington. They are two of the 38 Atlantic Canadian companies participating in the trade mission to New York this week. The trade mission continues until Thursday, May 23.
Team Canada Atlantic is a cooperative effort between ACOA, the four Atlantic Provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
Additional information on Team Canada Atlantic's trade mission to New York City can be found at www.TeamCanadaAtlantic.com.