“Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.” — Samuel Pepys: 17th century administrator of the navy of England and Member of Parliament.
Being a navy officer, Pepys probably consumed his fair share of seafood back in his day and it probably tasted a lot better than some of the gruel being served below decks. Jump ahead nearly four centuries, to the eve of the 2020 holiday season and efforts are being made to ensure more people are acquiring a taste for seafood as well.
After such a year of uncertainty, what better Christmas gift could both harvesters and processors receive than people across the globe eating more seafood?
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the seafood industry has endured. Very early on, this past spring, the Canadian federal government made the wise move of making the fishing and processing industries essential services, as they should be. Even though people might be hunkered down in their homes, they still need to eat.
But how has this unprecedented, worldwide event impacted seafood sales?
With restaurants either limiting capacity or closing outright, along with the tourism industry nearly grinding to a halt, the level of uncertainty in the seafood industry is at an all-time high.
From wearing masks, to washing hands, to standing six feet away from someone, COVID-19 has led to a lot of societal changes. But it might have also started a trend that will put a smile on fishermen’s faces — the pandemic might actually be causing consumers to eat more seafood.
Prior to the onset of the novel coronavirus, in many urban and mainstream markets, the majority of seafood meals were eaten at restaurants. But now, obviously, most people are eating their meals at home, including seafood.
According to data from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), “In December of 2019 before COVID-19, 70 per cent of consumers cooked three times a week at home and since COVID-19, 66 per cent said they now cook at home more frequently.”
ASMI also reported that for the first half of 2020, restaurant sales south of the border were $65-billion lower, while total U.S. grocery store sales for all products were up $43 billion from the same time last year.
Along with eating in more during this ongoing pandemic, many consumers are also very concerned about food safety. This increased interest in food safety has pushed up sales of frozen seafood. People also want to know exactly where their food is coming from.
Our seafood colleagues and competitors south of the border seem to have embraced this consumer trend.
Convened by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership, the newly formed Seafood4Health Action Coalition (made up of 44 organizations) has launched Eat Seafood America!, a rapid-response aimed at helping Americans stay healthy during the COVID-19 public health crisis, as well as help boost the U.S. seafood economy.
The ASMI has also revamped its flagship Cook it Frozen campaign. This campaigns an integrated communications plan featuring at a glance cooking tips and recipe ideas to help consumers build confidence in cooking wild Alaska seafood at home, focused on filling the pantry and freezers.
So, what is being done in Canada to take advantage of this perceived uptick in at-home seafood sales?
Back in May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged people to “buy Canadian” food to keep fishery workers and farmers in business during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“To everyone who wants to show their support, buy Canadian. Pick up some Canadian cheese to help a local dairy farmer, have a fish fry, or buy Canadian lobster. Not only will it taste great, it will help the people who keep food on our plates.”
But perhaps more needs to be done?
Could the recently announced Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy 2040 be the answer?
The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) and the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) recently released Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy 2040, “a joint vision and action plan to capture the untapped potential of our waters.”
“Representing the national wild-capture and farmed seafood industries respectively, FCC and CAIA understand the proud and central role fishing plays in Canada’s identity. Recognizing the opportunity in the Blue Economy Strategy to continue to lift Canada to even greater heights and support economic recovery from the current COVID-19 pandemic, the associations have developed a proposal to generate sustainable development through the fish and seafood industry,” a joint press release stated.
“Canada is a water nation. With the longest coastline and among the most freshwater capacity in the world, communities and families across the country have built their lives and futures on capturing value from our precious waters,” said Paul Lansbergen, President, FCC.
“We are ready to work with the federal government to strengthen sustainable economic growth from these waters.”
The proposal outlines a vision to position Canada to be a global top three best sustainable fish and seafood producer by 2040. FCC and CAIA are recommending the following sustainable growth targets:
- Double the value of canadian seafood
- Double economic benefits
- Double domestic consumption of fish and seafood
To achieve this, FCC and CAIA have included six required actions:
- Identify a federal department to drive sector economic development
- Develop a specific organization with the mandate to grow the seafood sectors
- Develop a five-year action plan for the seafood sector
- By 2025, through marine-based planning, ensure seafood development areas are finalized
- Expedite development of an Aquaculture Act
- Completion of the new regulations under the Fisheries Act
“Canada needs to regain pride in its seafood sector, and in doing so stimulate coastal community development and job creation, sustainable food production, and Indigenous reconciliation,” said Timothy Kennedy, President and CEO, CAIA. “Our country needs improved economic opportunities as we begin to build back better from COVID-19, and we believe our industry can lead the way with a blue recovery.”
Is this the right approach? Is it focused and relevant enough right now to deal with the current challenges facing the Canadian seafood industry?
Our competitors across the globe are shifting gears to adapt to the market realities of catching processing and selling seafood during a pandemic. Our industry needs to do the same.
So, this holiday season, remember the gift that keeps on giving for our fishermen and seafood harvesters, buy and eat more Canadian seafood — the more local, the better. Merry Christmas, happy eating and watch out for the bones.
