Liu Yangyang

524652046@qq.com

THE Shenzhen International Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2024, which ended in Futian District yesterday, was more than just a trade show — it was a feast for the senses. Fairgoers savored a variety of mouth-watering seafood dishes, watched two fish-cutting shows featuring a 300-kg and a 200-kg bluefin tuna, respectively, and marveled at king crabs, arm-long lobsters, and various sizes of shrimp on display.

The three-day expo showcased over 12,000 types of aquatic products from 500 exhibitors representing 24 countries and regions. Among the international participants was Illex Fishing S.A., from Argentina.

“We have a fleet of four boats and two processing plants in Argentina. This is our first time at this expo, and we’re thrilled to be here. We’ve brought red shrimp and Illex squid tubes, and we have already exported our products to China and worldwide,” said Victoria Franco, the company’s sales executive, during an interview with Shenzhen Daily.

In addition to seafood companies, several countries set up booths to explore potential partnerships.

“This is one of the best places to understand market trends. Shenzhen is ideal for finding the right people. We have decided to keep participating [in the expo] because the key players are here. We also aim to collaborate with small- and medium-sized enterprises as part of our matchmaking efforts,” said Bernardo Mu?oz, the commercial counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Consulate General of Peru in Shanghai.

Mu?oz highlighted the expo’s impressive blend of government support and participation from the private sector. “The fusion between private and public sectors is the optimal way to proceed. Having the right people with the right products meeting in the best environment makes for perfect matchmaking,” he added.

Advanced aquaculture technologies were also a highlight of the expo. The pavilion of China National Offshore Oil Corp.’s Guangdong Dapeng LNG terminal, the country’s first demonstration project of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cold energy aquaculture, attracted considerable attention.

“The cold energy technology will reduce the seawater temperature to 15-20 degrees Celsius, allowing high-value seafood to be reared in southern waters,” explained Niu Junfeng, a senior energy technical manager from the terminal who is in charge of the cold energy aquaculture project.

“Colder seawater means more oxygen, which is good for the health of the fish. Additionally, a trace amount of sodium hypochlorite is generated when the technology electrolyzes seawater, which sterilizes the water without additional chemicals and provides a cleaner environment for the fish.”

The expo also featured forums, summits, and roadshows. Visitors reveled in engaging events, including a thrilling cooking competition and an exquisite sashimi creation art contest.