While FPI is diversifying its seafood market and menu in North America with value-added products, OCI is closing plants and adamant that it cannot be viable without shipping unprocessed fish out of the province, says Liberal Fisheries Critic Jim Bennett.

The MHA for St. Barbe was reacting to news that FPI has added 6 new product flavors to its menu offerings using new flavors and products that are fully-prepared “in response to a new trend in flavours and coatings”.

“Here we have a seafood company that is focused on developing innovative seafood products to respond to market demands and yet OCI is hell-bent on sending its yellowtail and redfish off to places like China in whole form,” said Bennett. “Where is the innovation with this company and with our own government in offering seafood solutions using prepared, value-added frozen seafood?”

The Liberal fisheries critic says it is time for some creative thinking if our fishing industry is truly going to benefit the people of this province.  “I challenge government to ramp up its seafood research and development, in particular its product development to build on the value of this important industry.”