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The sun was out for the duration in Brussels, making walking the floors hot work. Although numbers may have been down on last year and some companies were not exhibiting -- such as Pacific Andes and Deutsche See -- it was still a buzzing show. Spanish fresh fish giant Caladero is targeting sales of $1.2 billion by the end of 2011 as its massive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) fish processing plant in Zaragoza gets up to full capacity, Director General Carlos Amoros Lopez de la Nieta said. Caladero has Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) chain of custody certification. Being able to put the MSC-logo on packaging is vital to offer customers in northern Europe, said Isabel Boix, the company's sustainability and marketing director. Caladero plans to use the MSC-logo on hake products. Chris Lischewski, president and CEO of U.S. shelf-stable seafood company Bumble Bee Foods, is the <b>IntraFish 2010 Person of the Year </b>. He received the award via video at an exclusive <b>IntraFish</b> luncheon during the Brussels show. Birds Eye Iglo CEO Martin Glenn was the guest speaker at the event. Marine Harvest's enormous stand dominated the landscape in hall five. French firm J.C. David may not have won the Prix d' Elite, but its pre-packed salmon bilini product is selling into more retailers. Alliance Maree hopes to distribute up to 1,000 metric tons of farmed French salmon from Saumon de France in 2011. The fish is less fatty than typical salmon and of far There was no shortage of tempting food as one walked from one stand to the next. Azorean fisheries business development director Enesto Melo Antunes said the islands would try to export more to the wealthier northern European consumers. The Azorean stand stunned with a variety of exotic species. The French pavilion reflected the buzzing activity of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The high prices of farmed salmon has encouraged some to look at wild as an alternative. Here, General Manager Sebastien Roussel and CEO Philipe Barbe of Direct Ocean. Iceland Seafood International (ISI) has a new managing director for the United Kingdom, former The Seafood Company executive Allen Townsend. Grieg Seafood Managing Director Michael Stark showed off the group's collection of smoked salmon products. The Japanese tradition of freezing tuna at minus 60 degrees Celcius is spreading to Europe. Several stands displayed tasty-looking surimi products. Turkey's Kilic said the group may sell a minority stake as it gears up to an IPO for 2011. From left: new CEO Murat Bakirci, chairman and owner chairman Orhan Kilic and his daughter. The Maldives had an eye-catching stand featuring a wooden boat leaning against a wallpainting. Russian Sea European Union (EU) Area Manager Kirill Nazipov said the group would look to increase exports to the European Union. Russia invited visitors to a flashy pavillion. Stylish as always - the Italian pavilion did not disappoint. Royal Greenland CEO Flemming Knudsen said the coldwater shrimp giant is expanding its sushi products, while continuing efforts to make the group nimbler and more efficient. Tilapia distributors are hoping to recreate their success with U.S. consumers to Europe. However, issues with price and the fish's occasional black spots --which requires to be injected with carbon -- are some obstacles that it wil face on the way. Tsujino's assistant general manager Takeshi Atsumi said tight regulation was proving obstructive as the group seeks to boost exports to Europe. Chinese companies came in force with a multitude of stands. Marel Food Systems shows off salmon processing equipment. Those with more exclusive taste could also find their match. Kawasaki advertises its processing technology. Morocco saw big for Brussels 2010 - they also had a huge banner advertising their stand above the reception entrance.

Publisher: IntraFish