A group of Jamaican journalists left the island yesterday for Norway, Europe, to explore the everyday activities involved in Norway's thriving seafood industry. The Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC), the official marketing council for the country's seafood industry, will host a week-long press tour as part of their efforts to educate the Jamaican media on the characteristics and quality of the saltfish that Jamaicans consume.

The contingent includes Kerlyn Brown, news reporter, CVM Television; Barbara Ellington, lifestyle editor, The Gleaner; and Debra Edwards, entertainment writer, Jamaica Observer, who will be accompanied by Nanda Dukharan of PROComm, representative of NSEC in Jamaica.

The trip will also expose journalists to harvesting and manufacturing processes for the saithe fish.

Growing market

Norway, the Nordic country west of Sweden, currently exports approximately 80 per cent of the saithe fish, popularly known as saltfish to Jamaica. "Jamaica remains an important and growing market for Norwegian salted fish," disclosed Svein Wara, marketing manager, Norwegian Seafood Export Council, at a recently held media briefing.

Mr Wara said the Norwegian Seafood industry had learned of the cultural and socio-historical significance of saltfish to the Jamaican populace and, in that light, took its position as the majority supplier very seriously.

"We are delighted to host the Jamaican media and show them first-hand the various processes involved," Mr Wara added. Activities lined up for the press group include boat trips on the fishing waters, which highlight traditional, modern- and high-technology fishing methods. Other exciting and educational visits include a tour of an aquaculture and seafood farm, a saithe processing factory, and even a visit to Norway's Clipfish Museum.

The Jamaican group, expected to return Saturday, March 8, is part of a larger press group consisting of media from Norway, Greece and Portugal.