Atlantic Canadian seafood exporters are looking to take advantage of opportunities around the world.

A dozen such businesses participated in the Conxemar International Frozen Seafood Trade Show in Vigo, Spain, from Oct. 7 to 9.

Led by the Food and Beverage Atlantic Association, companies were able to build business relationships, diversify exports and strengthen Atlantic Canada’s position as a trusted supplier of high-quality, sustainable seafood.

“Atlantic Canada’s seafood industry has earned a global reputation for quality, sustainability and reliability,” said Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Minister Sean Fraser.

Fraser said connecting exporters with key European markets and making full use of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will help create jobs and long-term economic growth in coastal communities throughout Atlantic Canada.

While in Spain, the delegation met with leading distributors, buyers and processors.

New Brunswick’s minister of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries said expanding into new markets is vital for the sector’s growth.

“Missions like Conxemar help our exporters diversify, build strong partnerships and support prosperity in rural, coastal and Indigenous communities in New Brunswick,” Pat Finnigan said.

Finnigan’s Nova Scotia counterpart echoed those sentiments.

“Nova Scotia plays a major role in Canada’s seafood industry, accounting for 29 per cent of the country’s total seafood exports,” Kent Smith said. “At a time when economic growth is more vital than ever, we’re focused on what we can control: expanding into new markets, strengthening trade across Canada and maintaining our reputation for reliability and quality.”