B.C.’s seafood harvesters are getting a hand in exporting their catch after local MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay announced federal funding Tuesday for international marketing efforts. A total of $164,000 will be provided to the Pacific Sea Cucumber Harvesters Association and the Pacific Urchin Harvesters Association Findlay said at a press conference held at Richmond’s Continental Seafood Restaurant. "Our Government is proud to support these two British Columbia seafood organizations in their efforts to increase their global market share by promoting their products' high quality, safety, nutritional value and sustainability,” said Findlay, MP for Delta—Richmond East, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “These industries are generating much needed economic activity in rural and coastal areas."
Exports of Pacific sea cucumber were valued at $12 million and $9.8 million in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Meanwhile, exports of Pacific sea urchins were valued at more than $13 million in 2012, with approximately 75 per cent of the harvest exported to Japan.
“This project has allowed us to grow so we, as Canadian fishermen, processors and exporters, along with many Canadian trade representatives, are working more closely together to deliver better products and services to some of the world's fastest growing seafood markets, namely Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, as well as other parts of Asia,” said Ken Ridgway, president of the PSCHA.
