A bluefin tuna cutting show during the 2023 Shenzhen International Fisheries and Seafood Expo at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District in May last year. File photos by Xinhua
Visitors take photos while watching a seafood sashimi presentation art contest at last year's fishery expo.
The 2024 Shenzhen International Fisheries and Seafood Expo is set to take place from Friday to Sunday at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District. The expo promises a variety of exciting activities and exhibits for visitors. It will feature a spectacular bluefin tuna cutting show in which top seafood experts will showcase their skills and a competition for the title of Asia's International Master Chef.
Tuna cutting show
The China Agriculture Development Group and the Shenzhen Liancheng Ocean Fishing Group will showcase two bluefin tuna fishes weighing over 300 kilograms each at this year's expo.
In addition, the expo will feature a diverse range of seafood products from both local and international markets. Besides tuna, the expo will also showcase Antarctic krill, Mozambique langoustine, Russian king crab, Norwegian salmon, Boston lobster, Ecuadorian South American white shrimp, Argentine red shrimp, and Greenland halibut, as well as various domestic and international specialty seafood products.
Skills contest
The expo is set to host the 5th Asia International Chef Challenge, which will bring together over 200 culinary experts, food enthusiasts, renowned chefs, and industry professionals to discuss trends in Asian cuisine, showcase their culinary skills, and celebrate culinary excellence in a grand fashion.
The 3rd Global Seafood Sashimi Presentation Art Competition will take place from Friday to Saturday. Contestants will use specified seafood ingredients to create sashimi presentations within a set time. One hundred exquisite seafood dishes will be presented, offering a luxurious taste and sight-based experience to attendees. Ten senior culinary experts will provide live critiques and 20 seafood industry leaders will offer insight into this new trend of seafood presentation in China.
Rising influence
Data showed that in 2023, Shenzhen's fishing output reached 87,000 tons, a 6.8% year-on-year increase. Shenzhen's modern fishing industry has progressed steadily in recent years, which is evidenced by the establishment of major fishing companies like Zhongyu Global Seafood Corp., Global Tuna Fisheries Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Rongheng Ocean Fisheries Co., Ltd. last year.
Shenzhen's global expansion strategy has resulted in the establishment of 15 overseas offices in Mozambique, Malaysia, Iran, and Thailand, as well as fishing bases in Micronesia and Laos.
The expo will gather nearly 500 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions to engage in international exchanges, international cooperation, and the promotion of distinctive fishing products.
With an exhibition area of 45,000 square meters, the main hall will feature 12 exhibition zones and showcase over 12,000 types of aquatic products and processed foods. The expo is expected to attract over 80,000 global traders, wholesalers, and distributors.
The expo will see the addition of an exhibition zone for Pacific Island countries and Belt and Road countries. Russia, the United States, Canada, Mexico, and various South American and Pacific Island countries have been invited to showcase their unique fishing products and discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Shenzhen aims to become a demonstration zone for the high-quality development of modern fisheries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, according to a 2022-2025 fishing industry development plan issued by the city government. The total output value of its fishery industry is expected to reach 9.8 billion yuan (US$1.36 billion) by 2025.