The second day put global seafood trade and market insight under the spotlight with talks from Timothy Hansen from NOAA, who addressed inspection and trade from a US perspective, while Hannah MacIntyre, aquaculture buyer at Marks and Spencer, discussed market outlook from a UK angle.
The challenges in ensuring and protecting the integrity of seafood products was also addressed with Mike Mitchell, technical and CSR director at platinum sponsor, Young’s, considering how the food industry has responded to and evolved since the horse meat crisis of 2013.
This was followed by a session led by Sandra Chaves at Biopremier, who discussed how DNA-based methodologies are being used in food analysis to help processors, manufacturers and retailers comply with regulatory measures, against a backdrop of growing consumer pressures.
Underpinning the congress’ theme ‘upskilling for a sustainable future’ a core part of today’s programme concentrated on best practice for fisheries, educational case studies from different countries, as well as a number of sessions on how HACCP can be implemented to ensure processing businesses and other seafood organisations across the world can ensure the safe and efficient delivery of fish.
Delegates also got to see the ‘world’s greatest living explorer’, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, take to the stage at the congress’ gala dinner at the Royal Humber Hotel yesterday evening. Over the course of the event, Sir Ranulph shared anecdotes from his remarkable career in the field of exploration.
The 2015 World Seafood Congress is being held in Grimsby until 9 September and brings together a global audience of seafood processors and importers, academia, public and private organisations, fish inspectors and government. Each day will see discussions in trading initiatives and developments in the seafood sector.