Fish Update Briefing, Friday, August 10

FOOD CHIEF EXPRESSES BREXIT ALARM
THE head of the Food and Drink Federation in the UK, whose members include seafood companies, has called for a meeting with ministers on the impact of Britain leaving the EU without a deal. Chief executive Ian Wright, told the ‘i’ newspaper that Brexit was ‘shaping up to be the stuff of nightmares’. He said it was essential that the government began to explain to businesses and to the public exactly what the implications of a no deal Brexit are. He added: ‘We have not yet had a formal conversation with the government about the major concerns for my members and the wider food chain. I think that\’s pretty essential.’
SRI LANKA LAUNCHES AQUACULTURE PROGRAMME
SRI LANKA has initiated a five-year development plan to develop its aquaculture industry as a key foreign revenue earning activity. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dilip Wedaarachchi has asked the national aquaculture development authority to prepare and submit a programme ‘in a timely manner’. He also expects the programme, which includes both fish cultivation and processing, to create new employment and help with Sri Lanka’s national economic recovery.
CLEARWATER PROFITS UP
CLEARWATER Seafoods, one of North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood businesses, has reported a strong profits performance during the second quarter of this year. Gross earnings (before interest and tax) rose by 10.7 per cent to (Canadian) $30.5 million, compared with $27.5 million in the previous year. But sales dipped from $154.3 million in Q2 2017 to $148.1 million this year. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, based company, which also owns Macduff Shellfish in Scotland, has one of the largest shellfish licences in Canada.
FISH CRAFTS SKILLS ON SHOW IN LONDON
THE best of the UK\’s fish craftsmen will be demonstrating their skills in a range of exciting competitions in the heart of London later this month. Organised by the National Federation of Fishmongers, the 66th British Fish Craft Championships will be held at Billingsgate Fish Market on the Saturday and Sunday over the August Bank holiday weekend. Open to anyone involved in the fish, poultry or game trade, the contest tests the skills that are necessary in the preparation of fish and poultry in readiness for use by the final consumer. The judges are all experienced fishmongers from various parts of the country.