Coronavirus delays Boston seafood expo, leaving N.L. companies stalled

One of the world's largest seafood shows, slated for mid-March,has been called off for nowover growing anxiety from the global COVID-19outbreak.

Seafood Expo North America, held in Boston each year,isan opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador seafood harvesters and processors to meet with foreign customers and network to create new accounts.

"This decision has been difficult because of the major importance of this event to the industry," said Diversified Communications in a news release on Tuesday.

"We heard from those of you who were concerned about health, safety and travel restrictions, and given the short time before the scheduled event date, and upcoming logistics, we have determined that postponement at this time is unavoidable."

More than 89,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported around the world, withmore than 3,000 deaths.

Canada currently has 27 cases.

N.L. companies stalled

Danny Dumaresque, owner of Labrador Gem Seafood, told CBC Radio's The Broadcast he has been making the trip for 30 years.

The expo is an important step to getting his products to market, he said.

"We now have to change the game plan and take a different approach,"Dumaresquesaid Tuesday.

Dumaresque figures 200-300 people from the province attend the expo each year to represent their respective companies, to market and demonstrate what is offered inNewfoundland and Labrador.

Seafood harvesting and production is a large industry, one that Newfoundland and Labrador, and the rest of Atlantic Canada, has relied on for generations.

He said companies and representatives from China normally make up about 20 per cent of the show's attendees.

With current travel restrictions and warningsin place in and out of China it would be difficult to estimate whether any delegates from the country would be on boardfor the expo, somethingDumaresquesaid would be a significant absence.

"They are, especially for Canadian companies, a major market. And for U.S. companies as well," he said.

"That I'm sure is a major factor in the decision to postpone at this time."

Diversified Communications said there areplansto hold the event later in 2020, somewhere in North America. The company said those details will be sent directly to customers in the next month.

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