Ocean City convention center is going to hold 36th annual Maryland Watermen’s Association’s East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s and Aquaculture Trade Expo, including the Mid-Atlantic Waterman of the Year competition, Little Quackers Calling contest, Junior Watermen activities, seminars and exhibits. It is said that this expo was first started in 1974 by the Maryland Watermen’s Association as a showplace for the commercial seafood industry and has grown to include aquaculture, the industry of raising seafood in ponds, tanks and net pens.
The expo is said to be the best place to learn aquaculture business, in addition to information on commercial fishing, charter or recreational boating and sports fishing. It is informed that there will be nearly 100 exhibitors will have boats, engines, electronics, safety gear, clothing, fishing equipment, products and services on display.
Coordinator Kelly Barnes said that approximately 5,000 people attend the expo annually, which includes commercial watermen, charter boat captains, seafood processors, aquaculturists and recreational boaters. She added that the Junior Watermen’s Expo, presented by the Mid-Atlantic Seagrant Extension Program, will offer children the opportunity to participate in their own hands-on, interactive and educational activities. There will be a touch tank where little ones can learn about and feel sea creatures. Children can also harvest and hand tong for oysters and test their casting skills.
Seminar programs will be offered on Saturday. Among them: “Safety at Sea- Know Before You Go,” “Fish For Tomorrow” and “Growing and Selling Baitfish.”
