WIREDGOV

Bangor Mussel Producers; The Lobster Pot; Bay Seafoods; Anglesey Aquaculture from North Wales and South Wales’ Selwyns Seafoods will be exhibiting under the auspices of the Welsh Government.

They will join some 1600 exhibitors from 140 countries at the Brussels Exhibition and Conference Centre in the Belgian capital for what is the largest seafood trade event in the world.

The five companies will be showing off their catch that includes sea bass; scallops; lobster; cockles; mussels; crab and laverbread.  A chef will be on the stand cooking up a variety of fish dishes for visitors to try.

Wales’ reputation as the home of quality seafood is growing and Welsh waters are home to a wide variety of fish including bass; ray; megrims; coley; plaice; gurnard; sole; brill and turbot and shellfish including whelks; scallops; brown crab; spider crab; lobster and prawns.

Mussels have been harvested from Welsh waters for over 50 years and mussel production makes up between 40 and 50 per cent of total gross turnover of Welsh fisheries.

The UK seafood market is worth around £2.7 billion and spending on fish and shellfish is growing at a faster rate than on other foods, accounting for almost six per cent of food expenditure.

In 2005, shellfish cultivation alone in Wales was valued at £12m.  Around 80 per cent of Welsh seafood is exported to the continent where the Welsh catch is highly prized.  

The Welsh Government has a long term strategy for the development of  Wales’ fisheries and is committed to safeguarding, supporting and encouraging the industry.