OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
> Heh. Most of our seafood here does and always has come partially from
> the east and west coasts, and mostly from the gulf coast with selected
> imports from the Orient.
>
> I have never seen Canadian seafood for sale. Not in many years of buying
> it, so I don't see what the big deal is.
>
> Maybe further North?
You've had it, you just haven't seen it labelled as such. About 3/4 of the
Canadian seafood haul is exported to the States
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/newsrel/2005/hq-ac09_e.htm
CANADIAN SEAFOOD EXPORTS REACH $4.5 BILLION IN 2004
"The United States remains Canada's largest export destination, with nearly
two-thirds of its seafood products, valued at $2.8 billion, sold to this
market. Once again, Japan ranked second with Canadian seafood imports valued
at nearly $500 million. Exports to the European Union, Canada's third
largest trading partner, increased by 4.0 per cent last year to more than
$474 million. China and Hong Kong followed at $366 million.
The top three species exported from Canada last year were lobster, crab, and
salmon (farmed and wild) with a combined value of more than $2.5 billion.
They accounted for 55 per cent of Canada's seafood exports. Lobster exports
were $951.7 million, followed by crab, worth $925.6 million, and salmon, at
$573.5 million. Other major export species included herring, scallops, cod,
halibut, and clams, with a combined value of almost $600 million.
Nova Scotia was once again the largest exporting province at $1.09 billion,
with its top-valued products - lobster, scallops, and crab - accounting for
more than $615 million. Newfoundland and Labrador came in second, with
exports worth $1.01 billion - shrimp, crab, and Atlantic cod being its
highest-selling products. British Columbia ranked third at $985 million; New
Brunswick, fourth at $824 million. The province of Quebec saw a significant
increase of more than 15 per cent in exports last year, moving it up to
fifth place with $218 million, ahead of Prince Edward Island, at $181
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 "
AND:
http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/protect_seals/why_a_boycott_of_canadian_seafood/
"The bulk of Canadian seafood-an estimated 75% of it-is exported to the
United States, generating more than $3 billion (CAD) annually for the
Canadian economy.
More than 80% of the value of Newfoundland's fishery is from shellfish such
as snow crabs, while sealing accounts for only 2%. Canadian snow crab
exports to the United States-the bulk of which originate in Newfoundland-are
valued at more than $370 million (USD) a year. This dwarfs the few million
dollars from the seal hunt in comparison.
The Importance of Snow Crabs
Almost all U.S. snow crab imports come from Canada. So simply by eliminating
just one product from their menus, American restaurants can send a direct
message to the very industry and individuals responsible for the seal hunt."
</>