Coinciding with European Union ministers discussing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, Vigo, Galicia, is the host of the Spanish Association of Seafood Products Manufacturers (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) meeting on Wednesday to develop strategies for 2010 and review seafood processing, canning and aquaculture developments during 2009.
Exhibiting at the European Seafood Exposition last week alongside 106 Galician seafood companies, ANFACO represents more than 220 seafood processing and aquaculture firms.
In a joint statement with leading fisheries organizations, ANFACO reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable fishing and responsible trading, setting processing, marketing and the exploitation of resources in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable conditions as its goals.
“We fully support efforts carried out by the Spanish fleet as this will impact on a better future for all fisheries and aquaculture, of which processing and marketing are an essential part,” said the statement. “Spanish fishing represents turnover of more than EUR 18 billion (USD 23.5 billion) per year in the EU, 33.35 percent of its total. The Autonomous Community of Galicia represents 25.2 percent, bringing annual turnover to Galicia to over EUR 4.5 billion (USD 5.9 billion).”
Central to the region’s marketing are its 300 annual food festivals, including up to 30 showcasing its natural abundance of oysters, mussels, crabs, octopus, sea urchins and eel. Often weeklong public events co-funded by economic development and tourism authorities, suppliers, processing, packaging, machinery and ancillary services all participate.
Cultivation of coldwater species, particularly raft-culture mussels, has flourished in Galician estuaries, with Spain becoming the second largest mussel producer in the world after China. The region has its own Regulating Council for the Designated Protection of Origin of Galician Mussels and is headquarters for the National Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, both exhibitors at the European Seafood Exposition.
The region will host 17 seafood events between June and December alone. October’s two-week O Grove Seafood Festival attracts 200,000 people annually for seafood sales, information stands, events, contests and tastings, with live lobster sculptures on beds of clams and scallops.
“Seafood is not only a food, it is the source of inspiration for life and art. Combining our seafood and culture demonstrates the importance of the country’s fishing industry and the products we provide,” explained ANFACO.
