Nor-Fishing 2020, the fisheries technology exhibition that was scheduled to be held in Trondheim, Norway, in August, has been canceled following the government’s decision to extend its ban on events that gather more than 500 people until the end of that month.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Nor-Fishing Foundation recognizes that the Nor-Fishing 2020 exhibition cannot be held as planned during the period 18-21 August,” the organizers said in a notice posted on the Nor-Fishing website.
One option that had been under consideration was to postpone this year’s exhibition until May 2021. However, feedback found that this was not a viable alternative for a large number of the exhibitors. Additionally, it would clash with other trade fairs, both nationally and internationally.
The foundation is now looking at the possibility of organizing a digital version of Nor-Fishing 2020.
“It has already been decided that the Student Day will be conducted as a webinar. There may be other parts of this year’s exhibition that we can carry out digitally. We will return with more information on this,” the notice said.
Established in 1960, Nor-Fishing is held every two years, and attracts more than 15,000 visitors from around 50 countries.
Last week, the Norwegian government started the cautious reopening of society. Schools, nurseries, and certain businesses that have been closed since 12 March are being allowed to open again as long as they can follow strict requirements for infection control measures. However, the Norwegian seafood industry has been fully operational throughout the lockdown due to its classification as an essential industry.
In March, the country’s seafood sector exported 213,000 metric tons (MT) of fisheries and aquaculture products worth NOK 9.6 billion (USD 916.8 million, EUR 845.2 million). According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, there has been increased demand for processed and prepacked seafood, as well as products with longer sell-by dates, such as clipfish and frozen fish, from a number of markets during the crisis.
Photo courtesy of Nor-Fishing
