B.C. seafood festival celebrates marine bounty around Comox
By Stephanie Ip, The Province June 10, 2015
Land, ho! The ninth annual B.C. Shellfish & Seafood Festival is taking over the Comox Valley beginning this weekend — and seafood lovers had better batten down the hatches.
“We’re hopeful that this can become a real premier event in B.C. for people that are interested in food, for the foodie folks, and for the people who want to see a great place in the Comox Valley,” said Jeremy Dunn, executive director with the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association.
Roberta Stevenson, executive director with the B.C. Shellfish Growers Association (BCSGA), said the region’s produce makes it an ideal venue.
“The ocean waters that surround the Comox Valley produce more than 50 per cent of all of B.C. shellfish products, and produce more oysters than anywhere in Canada,” said Stevenson. She noted the bounty that comes from B.C. waters has a worldwide reputation and is shipped to international markets including Asia, the U.S. and Europe.
The festival, which will unfold over 10 days between June 12 and 21, has been hosted in the Comox Valley since its inception.
“It’s the passionate producers, the incredible growing environment and the stunning destination that make this the ideal region for the festival,” said Stevenson.
The Vancouver Island festival was originally started by the BCSGA as a dinner and one-day event, but has since grown to become the largest event of its kind in the province. It now includes culinary events, producer tours, celebrity chef demonstrations, and gala dinners showcasing the best of B.C.’s waters.
Among the new additions to this year’s festival is an industry Expo, which will serve as an opportunity for seafood and aquaculture suppliers, processors, growers and producers to network and learn.
Celebrity chef Ned Bell of Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel will be in attendance at the Expo, and Dr. John Nightingale, CEO of the Vancouver Aquarium, will present a keynote talk.
Organizers hope that the Expo will help diversify the event, expanding the festival beyond its traditional consumer focus and allow for discussion of topics surrounding the seafood industries, such as sustainability.
“When you look at the B.C. Seafood Expo and Workshop Series schedule, and the incredible speakers, it has two streams — one for industry and one for the consumer — and very much focuses on the challenges of sustainability,” said Stevenson. “This was done to generate discussion, raise awareness, as well as explore the innovations occurring within the sector to address the issues that surround the aquaculture sector and food production.”
Of all the events being offered by the festival, Dunn said he was personally most excited for the Flying Fresh Lobster reception on Saturday, and the new Fresh Fest event on Friday.
“The folks from Flying Fresh Air Freight are bringing in some lobster from back east and it’s great to have it here in the west,” he said. “And Fresh Fest, where it’ll be great fresh seafood and some really good bands will make for a really fun event.”
Zerbin, the River and the Road, and Luke Blue Guthrie are scheduled to perform at the Friday evening dinner and concert taking place at Comox Marina.
June has also been declared B.C. Seafood Month, a fitting time for the festival celebrating B.C.’s seafood.
In 2014, B.C. seafood exports totalled $981 million, with farmed Atlantic salmon ($255 million), crabs ($102 million), and sockeye salmon ($90 million) listed as the top three products.
“We encourage people to come over to Vancouver Island for this event or at any time this summer,” said Dunn.
For a full schedule of events and ticket information on the festival, visit discovercomoxvalley.com/shellfish-fresh-fest
