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Canadian Corporate Newswire

March 09, 2007 Friday 10:00 AM EST 

DFO: Minister Hearn Announces Fish and Seafood Export Figures for 2006

LENGTH: 1109 words

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 9, 2007) - The Honourable Loyola  Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that Canada's fish  and seafood exports, including farmed products, totalled $4.1 billion in  2006. The announcement came in advance of Minister Hearn's participation at  the International Boston Seafood Show. 
"Key to our success in a global economy is developing new markets for  high-quality Canadian products," said Minister Hearn. "With fish and  seafood product exports to 128 countries in 2006, Canada's export  statistics illustrate that there is a demand around the world for Canadian  fish and seafood."  
In 2006, Canada's seafood exports totalled $4.1 billion. The top five  export markets accounted for over 80% of Canada's total fish and seafood  exports during the year. The United States remains Canada's largest export  destination, accounting for 62% of Canada's total fish and seafood exports  ($2.5 billion). Japan ranked second ($342 million), followed by China ($276  million), Denmark ($125 million), and United Kingdom ($111 million). 
Lobster, farmed Atlantic salmon, shrimp and snow crab were the country's  principal exports in 2006. Quantities of exports were higher for all four  species and their combined export values reached $2.4 billion, just over  half of the total exports covering all species. Lobster exports were valued  at over $1 billion, followed by Atlantic salmon ($512 million), shrimp  ($456 million) and snow crab ($426 million). The average price for lobster  and Atlantic salmon exports increased between 2005 and 2006, while the  period saw lower average prices for shrimp and snow crab exports. Other  major exports for the year included herring, scallops and hake. 
In 2006, British Columbia was the largest exporting province at $987  million, with its top-valued products - farmed Atlantic salmon, herring and  hake - accounting for $433 million.  Nova Scotia was the second largest  exporting province at $974 million, with its top-valued products -lobster,  shrimp and scallops accounting for $589 million. Newfoundland ranked third,  with exports worth $798.2 - shrimp, snow crab and mackerel being its  highest-selling products. New Brunswick ranked fourth at $795 million,  Quebec ranked fifth at $203 million, and Prince Edward Island came in sixth  at $194 million. 
These international trade figures were released in advance of the  International Boston Seafood Show, which is taking place March 11-13, 2007.  Recognized as the number one seafood venue for buyers and sellers in North  America, the show attracts thousands of industry professionals from around  the world. 
"The International Boston Seafood Show provides an excellent market to  promote our high-quality fish and seafood to an international audience,"  said Minister Hearn. 
For further information on Canada's seafood export statistics, refer to  Fisheries and Oceans' Statistical Services website at:  http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communic/statistics/main_e.htm 
BACKGROUNDER 
PROVINCIAL BREAKDOWN OF CANADIAN FISH AND SEAFOOD EXPORTS IN 2006 
Canada's fishing industries continued to perform well in 2006, with exports  of fish and seafood products, including farmed products, totalling $4.1  billion. 
The six largest Canadian exporting provinces of fish and seafood in 2006  were British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New  Brunswick, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island. 
BRITISH COLUMBIA: 
- Canada's top exporter of fish and seafood products in 2006 with a value  of $987 million. 
- Exported 187,104 tonnes (t) of fish and seafood in 2006. 
- The three most important species in terms of value were farmed Atlantic  salmon (53,126 t valued at $315.3 million), herring (7,389 t valued at  $61.4 million), and hake (35,552 t valued at $56.1 million). 
- British Columbia's highest valued export species group was pelagic fish  valued at $559.7 million. 
NOVA SCOTIA: 
- Canada's second leading exporter of fish and seafood products in 2006  with a value of $974.4 million. 
- Exported 152,146 t of fish and seafood in 2006. 
- Nova Scotia's most valuable species were lobster (22,471 t valued at  $390.3 million), shrimp/prawn (34,646 t valued at $106.6 million), and  scallops (4,719 t valued at $92.2 million). 
- Nova Scotia's highest valued export species group was shellfish valued at  $689.1 million. 
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR: 
- Canada's third leading exporter of fish and seafood products with exports  valued at $798.2 million. 
- Exported 194,339 t of fish and seafood in 2006. 
- Its top three species were shrimp/prawn (63,939 t valued at $256  million), snow/queen crab (27,416 t valued at $206.3 million), and mackerel  (26,291 t valued at $42.1 million). 
- Newfoundland and Labrador's highest valued export species group was  shellfish valued at $557.5 million. 
NEW BRUNSWICK: 
- Canada's fourth leading exporter of fish and seafood products with  exports valued at $795.2 million. 
- Exported 97,726 t of fish and seafood in 2006. 
- Its top three species were lobster (15,321 t valued at $406.6 million),  farmed Atlantic salmon (23,421 t valued at $170 million), and snow/queen  crab (10,647 t valued at $80.7 million). 
- New Brunswick's highest valued export species group was shellfish valued  at $543.1 million. 
QUEBEC: 
- Canada's fifth leading exporter of fish and seafood products in Canada  with a value of $203.3 million. 
- Exported 29,474 t of fish and seafood in 2006. 
- Its top three species were snow/queen crab (9,991 t valued at $68.2  million), lobster (1,181 t valued at $29,664 million), and shrimp/prawn  (2,517 t valued at $19.4 million). 
- Quebec's highest valued export species group was shellfish valued at  $127.7 million. 
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: 
- Canada's sixth leading exporter of fish and seafood products in Canada  with exports valued at $194.05 million. 
- Exported 17,684 t of fish and seafood in 2006. 
- Its top three species were lobster (5,927 t valued at $150 million),  mussels (8,610 t valued at $23.2 million), and crab (712 t valued at $6  million). 
- Prince Edward Island's highest valued export species group was shellfish  valued at $185.4 million. 
For further information on Canada's seafood export statistics, refer to  Fisheries and Oceans' Statistical Services website at  www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/communic/statistics/main_e.htm.  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
613-993-5413
or
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
Office of the Minister
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
613-992-3474
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
National, Government - Security (law enforcement, homeland etc), Government
- State

LOAD-DATE: March 9, 2007

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newswire

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