Independent commercial fishermen, wild seafood buyers and sustainably harvested wild seafood stakeholders are invited to gather in Bellingham, Wash. on Feb. 29 for Wild Seafood Connection, a one-day conference aimed at connecting harvesters with more markets for their fish.
Sponsors include Sea Grant entities for the states of California, Oregon and Washington, plus Seattle Marine & Fishing Supply Co. and Maritime Fabrications Inc.
The agenda includes panel discussions on how chefs and retailers choose their seafood, direct marketing, Sea Grant programs, processing and distribution, plus a wild seafood luncheon roundtable on a variety of seafood topics.
Peter Philips of Colibri Northwest and Bellingham Port Commissioner Bobby Briscoe are scheduled to deliver opening remarks before the first panel, with local chefs and retailers speaking out about how they choose their wild seafood and what they look for in wild seafood vendors, including price point, portioning delivery and species available.
Washington Sea Grant’s Brandi O’Reagan is scheduled to moderate a discussion on the challenges and opportunities in independent direct marketing.
Washington Sea Grant’s Jenna Keeton will be joined by Jamie Doyle of Oregon Sea Grant and Carolyn Culver of California Sea Grant for the discussion on programs offered by Sea Grant to help West Coast independent fishing families thrive as direct marketers and small businesses.
The last event of the day will focus on processing and distribution, with speakers still to be announced.
More details about the event can be found at www.wildseafoodconnect.com.