According to experts in seafood and fishing research interest in local seafood is on the rise, and fishermen and companies need to develop better consumer relationships and use up-to-date technology to promote their business. N.C. Sea Grant, Carteret Catch, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) held its 2009 North Carolina Seafood Marketing Workshop earlier this week at the National Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research on Pivers Island.
Scott Baker, Sea Grant fisheries specialist, informed that the workshop went well and was pleased with the feedback they’d received by early afternoon that day. He added that there were top personalities attending the workshop such as Pete Christiansen, client manager of High Tower Seafood LLC of Wanchese. Mr. Christiansen said Wednesday he thought the workshop was really good.
Baker also told that it is good to see a lot of ideas being implemented by niche companies. He continue saying that it is also nice to see the government doing something to help. Sea Grant has found that seafood consumption has been rising, primarily because people want to eat healthy to avoid chronic diseases or stop ones they’ve already got.
Barry Nash, Sea Grant seafood technologist and marketing specialist, said that over 80 percent of seafood is imported, but the demand for local seafood is growing because it’s considered healthier and is fished sustainably. The workshop has specialists promoting state seafood locally, nationally and internationally.
