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BC Seafood Festival

2020 News - BC Seafood Festival Media

Online market fast-tracks seafood to China

Gfresh, one of the world’s largest online trade platforms, has signed an agreement with an inspection company to fast track seafood exports to China.

The agreement with Certification and Inspection Group Canada (CCIC) was signed on June 10 at the 2016 BC Seafood Expo Trade Show in Courtenay, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Gfresh’s CEO and co-founder, Anthony Wan, said the agreement would give Canadian exporters using the online platform the “quickest and easiest trade route into China yet’’.

The agreement means suppliers on Gfresh will be given assurances that their products are passable by customs before leaving their Canadian departure port. It also gives Chinese trade partners the quickest and most direct trade route possible by reducing the time it takes to get seafood from suppliers into China’s booming market.

Gfresh was launched in 2014 to connect Canadian sellers of live seafood directly to more than 2,500 wholesale Asian buyers, mostly in China, which has surpassed the US and the European Union as the

world’s largest seafood market. Last year, Gfresh recorded $100 million in trade, Wan said on the second day of the 11-day BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival in Comox, on Vancouver Island. The festival started on June 9 and ends on June 19. “When we first thought about the venture, we wondered why it was that there was no online platform for buying and selling live seafood. It is ridiculous you can move almost any other type of commodity between countries and it just arrives but you can’t do that with live seafood,” he said. CCIC is headquartered in Vancouver and has offices in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, and it specializes in providing inspection and certification services to customers.

Wan said CCIC Canada will work with Gfresh to develop pre-shipment inspection for seafood exports, which would expedite and lower customs inspection charges in China.

He said that now China’s customs agents detain and inspect 25 to 50 per cent of fresh seafood entering China, which can take up to five days and cause financial loss and reduce the freshness and quality of the product when released.

China imported about $8.4 billion worth of fish and seafood from around the world over the last few years, and an increasing amount comes from Canada, the sixth-largest supplier of seafood to China, including live oysters, prawns, lobsters and both fresh and smoked salmon and other species, according to Statistics Canada.

China is British Columbia’s second most important seafood market after the US, which has historically been the sector’s primary export market. In 2014, BC exported $981 million in seafood products to 74 markets, many in Asia, an increase of 10 percent from 2013.

According to Statistics Canada, China is showing an increasing appetite for farm-raised salmon, with exports from BC now more than doubling over the previous high in 2012.

BC set a record for exports of farm-raised salmon last year, and demand for salmon raised in BC has never been higher, according to Jeremy Dunn, executive director of BC Salmon Farmers Association. “If we had more fish to sell, I believe that marketers would be selling more to China because of the improving Chinese economy,” Dunn said.

BC also is on track to increase exports this year with its shellfish farming industry, which produces scallops, oysters, mussels, geoduck, Manila and other clams, currently a $37 million industry, according to Lara Greasley of Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism.

BC is the leading oyster-producing province. It produces 87 per cent of clams cultured in Canada, and fish farmers using hatcheries, marine farms and land-based aquaculture systems produce Atlantic salmon, Chinook and Coho salmon, sable fish, trout, steelhead and sturgeon.

The online seafood marketplace designed specifically for cross-border business-to-business seafood sales has caught on with buyers and sellers of lobsters, Dungeness crab and abalone, according to Wan, who said the company is working to expand listings of other species.

“With seafood, the seller wants to see the payment upfront, but the buyer wants to see the product first. Gpay (a service facilitating payments from its customers’ bank accounts to internet merchants) effectively eliminates the risk for both parties,” Wan said.

He said Gfresh is an independent third party to a transaction, and when the buyer and seller come together, they agree on an acceptable mortality threshold for their seafood of between five and 25 percent.

“Our goal is to be the dominant marketplace for live seafood globally. It is all about growth for us,” Wan said, adding that Gfresh has ground inspectors around when boxes of live seafood are opened on delivery.

He said that if a delivery does not arrive on time, Gfresh is penalised. “The penalty keeps us honest and efficient, we are there to receive it as soon as the cargo lands,” Wan said.

Gfresh has limited its operations to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, where it has set up tracking systems that guarantee product delivery within seven hours of its arrival. With a staff of more than 150, Gfresh plans to expand to 20 Chinese cities and focus on increasing sales from Canada.

Wan and Gang were among investors, businessmen and officials and other invited guests to the BC Shellfish Festival, marked by non-stop food tours, tastings, demonstrations and competitions.

At the opening of the festival, BC’s agriculture minister, Norm Letnick, told China Daily he was pleased with the great amount of interest shown by Chinese for Canadian products when he was in China. He said his ministry has responded by taking steps to improve trade between the two countries.

Epicurean adventure through Comox Valley

ENDOWED with a bounty of seafood, the Comox Valley, nestled between the sea and the mountains of Vancouver Island, is a treat for any foodie.

More so every June, when the locale hosts the BC Seafood and Shellfish Festival — a global culinary congregation of chefs, connoisseurs and traders, and thousands of visitors.

This place with its beautiful beaches, charming restaurants and pastoral landscapes has always been part of my annual travel plans when my kids were growing up and never failed to yield surprises every time I visited.

Lately, my excursions there have been about seafood, wine tours and what nature has to offer in this patch of paradise.

Dubbed “The Land of Plenty” by the Komoks First Nations people who settled in the area thousands of years ago, the main communities of the valley are Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland, boasting things you’ve never done before, all within a 30-minute drive.

So if you are like me, always on the lookout for a gastronomic getaway, here are my favourite things to do and places to see in the Comox Valley.

But be warned of an old saying in the area: “strangers have been known to arrive and never depart for lesser destinations.”

BC Seafood and Shellfish Festival

Ranked among the best coastal celebrations in North America, this event in June features some of British Columbia’s top chefs who serve up an array of oysters, mussels, scallops, clams, fish and the much maligned geoduck.

This festival is packed with events and tours but do not miss the Fresh Fest, Comox by the Sea Celebration, Seafood & Wine Pairing and the Salmon Capital Seafood Taste. I would also recommend the BC Salmon Farm tours, half-day wildlife tour and the crabbing tour to get a full feel for the sea-to-table experience. Go to www.bcshellfishfestival.com for details.

Walkabouts

While there are many inviting trails for the more robust among us, a rewarding stroll is the unrushed jaunt through Downtown Courtenay’s 5th Street, dotted with locally-owned shops with beautiful window displays and cafes.

Delightful detours here include the Comox Valley Art Gallery and the Courtenay Museum and Paleontology Centre.

The Courtenay Loop is a great way to start the day and takes you along the Courtenay River Estuary for views of the Comox Glacier, the Georgia Strait and coastal mountain ranges. There will always be glimpses of seabirds, eagles and sea lions.

Another leisurely stroll begins at the Comox Municipal Marina along Marina Walkway, over to the Comox Harbour Promenade and back to the Comox Fisherman’s Wharf — a great place to buy fresh seafood off the boats.

Green Valley

Innovative farmers and artisan producers with a passion for sustainability bring out the best in this agricultural hamlet that boasts among a range of unique products — 10 varieties of organic blueberries, organic wasabi, Belgian endive, Asian greens and organic meats from buffalo to venison.

For me, the best way to feel, taste and get a lesson on local produce is to visit the Comox Valley Farmers Market. There are about 70 vendors during the peak season outdoor Saturday market, selling and telling you about the local food movement.

Keep an eye out for special diet goods such as paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free products.

Eating spots

There is really no decent way to rank the quaint and delicious offerings by the chefs in the Comox Valley. So I will tell you about three places I always indulge in while here.

With a spectacular panoramic oceanfront view, the Blackfin pub is the place to go after a refreshing walk around the Comox Fisherman’s Wharf.

Chef Nigel McMeans uses locally sourced ingredients and don’t forget to ask of owner Edd Moyes, who is on standby to regale you with local tales.

The White Whale, a trendy riverside favourite, is a great place for craft beer and fresh oysters by Chef Aaron Rail.

When you are heading to the Comox Valley, one of the first things to do is to try and secure a reservation at Locals Restaurant. Here, the uniqueness of the Comox Valley is served on mouthwatering plates by Chef Ronald St Pierre and wife Tricia.

Grape expectations

The regions vintners, budding and bold, are raising the profile of estate wineries in the Comox Valley. As a more recent entrant in this field, I would suggest you do the tasting and let someone else do the driving.

The 40 Knot’s Estate Vineyard is a brilliant example of green tourism where grapes are handpicked and resident sheep mow the grass.

Their Pinot Gris exhibits tremendous potential. Another local must see is the Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery. For a taste and tour of the uncommon, the Coastal Black Estate Winery, is a 600-acre fruit winery at the foot of Mount Washington.

It is the largest blackberry farm in Canada and produces fruit wines and meads. If spirits are your thing, Wayward Distillation House is the destination. It is the first distillery in Canada using honey as the base for vodka and gin.

Now that you are coming

Go to www.discovercomoxvalley.com or call the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre at 1-855-400-2882 to find out the best ways to get here and what you can expect, do and see.

Fabian Dawson,

a former journalist with Malay Mail, who now lives in Canada, occasionally shares his travel secrets with us.

How to choose the best tortilla press?

The best tortilla press is an extremely convenient and flexible device that can help you make beautiful tortillas and even burritos or quesadillas can be made easily.
It can be said that with this device you do not need to buy commercial tortillas with many preservatives, and you can also create many different tortillas with different materials and flavors.
You can buy a tortilla press easily at local stores, but choosing the best one is not easy.
What you need to consider before buying a tortilla press has been summarized below:

#1 Size

Size is also one of the important factors to consider for a tortilla press. The size of the tortilla press will determine the size of the finished tortilla.
The most common tortilla press size is about 6 to 8 inches. With a smaller tortilla press, you can make both burritos or quesadillas. Finished products are also easier to be stored.
With an 8 inch tortilla press, the tortilla will be larger, making it easier to roll. However it is also quite difficult to store.

#2 Design

You should buy a tortilla designed to be easy to use and friendly. The two plates should also be designed to fit together perfectly to squeeze the tortilla.
You certainly don’t want to buy a tortilla press that takes hours to figure out how to work it.

#3 Material

You can easily find a painted tortilla to prevent rust in any store. However, the poor quality paint can peel off at any time, and it will be even easier to peel off when exposed to high temperatures for a long time.
The best quality for a tortilla is cast iron. This material does not need paint to prevent rust and it also withstands high temperatures very well.

#4 Budget

Choosing a tortilla press according to price criteria is also something you should consider.
If you do not have a lot of experience making tortilla, you should choose a tortilla press with more useful features. It will be a bit more expensive but worth the investment.

What should look for when choosing best camera belt clip?

A bulky camera bag, a backpack, or a camera strap are not a rapid solution to take a photo that just take place in a moment. These things also get you tire to carry around for long time. This is time for you to looking for a perfect tool that help you holds your camera while easy to access for any type of activity.
The best camera belt clip is designed for this purpose. It also keeps your camera secure as well. The camera clip belt will replace your old method as soon try it for the first time. These following are something you should look for in a camera belt clip.

#1 Functionality

One of the most important purposes of a camera belt clip is attach to your belt and make the camera always ready to capture a shot. That means you do not need to waste your time to pull your camera out form the backpack.
A camera holster is considered to be good if it provides quick access to your equipment, so that you can get your camera without fuss and take a photo. There is always sometime that you really want to capture interesting moment, you need to react very fast. Therefor, choose the clip that have several access points and can be easily opened from the top.

#2 Security lock

To prevent the case of cameras dropping out of camera clips when they are in full play, you have to ensure that the camera clip you choose includes a securiry lock. This will protected from accidental release no matter how you hang your camera on your clip.
You may find the DIY camera belt clip that being sold in the internet. However, they are might not come with the lock to protect your camere. You should be of sound mins when make a decision.

#3 Compatibility

You won’t want to buy a camera belt clip and then realise that it can not mount on your belt. Ensure that the clip is compatible with you belt before buying. Most of them can be use for many different types of belt and strap, however, some clips will limit the width and thickness of the belt they can work with.
Normally, the camera clip packaging states how width the belt it can work with. If you have te belt that larger than 3 inches wide, you must becareful check the camera clip packaging.

Best Backpacks Vacuum Cleaners

What you don’t know about vacuum cleaners

What else can keep your room floor sparkling clean if not vacuum cleaners? Of course, they are so effective in cleaning, that even the tiniest hair-like particles are picked up instantly. Not that they only super-clean your room; they save you from stress and make you keep to time. You won’t spend the whole day doing a thorough cleaning.
Despite their mind-blowing cleaning ability, they’re metals weighing in multi-kilograms. That’s why some of them are not carried about while cleaning. This is one of the cons that discredit them from being portable. However, with the rise of innovations, a generation of vacuum cleaners with more pros than cons have already flooded the market to help both domestic and commercial users work with much ease. Their portability is no longer in question because most of them are light-weighted and can be carried about while cleaning.
Still on their pros; they come with backpacks so that you can carry it about. Don’t worry about the stress of weight, they’re light and portable.
Here are a few things you should know about backpack vacuum cleaners before you make your best selection out there.  Let’s begin:

  • HEPA filtration

There is nothing as cozy as a room with fresh air, charming-neatness and no odor. That’s why you have to go for the best backpack vacuum cleaners with HEPA filtration system. High-Efficiency Particulate Air filtration system removes microscopic particulates and leftover odors, thereby keeping a cleaner air good even for your body system.

  • Get Essential Accessories and Attachment

Go for backpack vacuum cleaners that are flexible and extensible. These ones are compatible with important accessories and attachments. With the accessories, vacuum cleaners become extensible, performing different jobs such as cleaning different floor surfaces and even reaching the ceiling to clean it.

  • Is it bagged?

Before you lay your hands on a new backpack vacuum cleaner, you’ll have to decide whether to go for the backpack bagged or bag-less ones.  Either of them has pros and cons. If you will opt for bagged cleaners, get ready to spend on vacuum bags. They are pretty expensive, and they are not eco-friendly. However, backpacked vacuum cleaners have excellent ability to trap dust and debris and you don’t need filter maintenance.
Aside from the aforementioned details, bag-less cleaners are an alternative choice if you have planned to spend little. It’s really cost-effective because you don’t have to buy vacuum bags. At the other hand, you just have to be cleaning the filters for optimum performance. So get ready, to keeping replacing the filter periodically.

Conclusion

There are more to what you ought to know about vacuum cleaners, and there are new generations of them that will still hit the market. But for now; we have a download of suitable durable vacuum backpacks that are higher than other backpacked cleaners in the scale of quality.
See backpack vacuum cleaners that are functionally versatile and make your choice today.

Buying Guide: Best Zero Gravity Chairs for Outdoor

When we go out to have some outdoor activities like camping, fishing or picnic, we carry all the staff we need to feel comfortable. Chairs are one of those things. For the outdoor activities, we need those chairs to be as light as possible, strong, and cozy. Here is where the best zero gravity camping chair comes in.

The best zero gravity chair

There is a chair that will make your every outdoor activity even better. Although I talk about camping and similar things, you can use this chair at home as well. Zero gravity chair cannot defy gravity, but it can be positioned so you will feel like you are floating. With the correct position, your weight will be equally spread over the chair, which will create a zero-gravity effect. Some experts claim that the body put in a zero-gravity position relieves the stress faster.
A chair reduces pressure on the spine and relieves muscle tension. You will find the zero-gravity type of chair usually fully padded, with head and lumbar pillow for support. To create durable and quality chairs, the manufacturers use the finest materials. The frame in these types of chairs is made of steel, and the seating is made of durable polyester. Some chairs have wooden armrests. The best zero gravity chair Canada is ergonomically designed to fit almost every body shape and size. You will find some of these chairs easily transformed into a rocking chair.
You can find this type of chair with some interesting features added to it, like a cup holder or a cup tray for drinks and food. Most chairs have removable headrests and cup holders. Some headrests are washable. When done using the best zero gravity camping chair, simply fold it and store it anywhere you like.
Choosing the size, color, and features is up to your preferences and wishes.
See more maybe you are interested here.

What are the best manual fillet knives for Walleyes?

It is obvious that you should choose the right type of fillet knives on the market for different fish. Before getting the best fillet knife for walleye, I have been spent a lot of time fillet Y and lateral-line bones from walleye. This is why I would like to recommend this list of walley fillet knives for you guy. You can find more fillet knives for walleye on this link.
These knives on this list are curved and flexible with sharp tip, which are perfect for filleting walleye. If here are no knife that can satisfy you, you can find various different type and models of fillet knives here.

#1 Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade

Overall view,  Morakniv fishing comfort fillet knife come with the good size for Walleye. If you are looking for the optimal solution of filleting a walleye, a Morakniv fillet knife should be what you need. It come with the reasonable price tag wile also has many benefits such as good edge retention and corrosion resistance.
This fillet knife has a medium blade size of  of  6.1-inch length. The blade is made out of Swedish-cold rolled Sandvik stainless steel material. It has a 2mm thick blade and it is very lightweight. It also available with 3.5 inches version. You can expect that it retain the sharpness for long time, It is also durable and resist corrosion.
It features with a high fricton handle and a patterned. The handle material ensure it does not absorb any odor. The versatile handle and its weight makes it non slip and perfect for outdoor activity or in wet situation.
The slotted plastic sheath included will help protect the blade sharpness and keep it clean. The sheath also useful when you need to carry the knife. There are two belt clips on the sheath which you can attach on your belt-loop.
The Morakniv fishing comfort fillet knife can be used for both professional chef and home cooks. You can see many  positive feedback for this product on the online market. This is mainly because it offers premium quality with great value for the price. Generall speaking, this knife is perfect to filleting walleye in a budget. However, the dawnside here is that it can be tough to fillet a larger walleye.

#2 Bubba 9 Inch Tapered Flex Fillet Knife

The only drawback of this knife is that it is a bit costly, however, you will get the high quality premium filleting knife. The blade is 9-inch-long that made of premium steel. The edge is coated with a titanium nitride finish, which keep the blade corrosion-resistant. The blade is made from 8Cr13MoV premium steel material, this material ensures the blade will retain its edge is razor-sharp for such a long time.
What make this knife is perfect for Walleye is its curved design and a sharp tip of the blade. These features will help you easily start filleting a walleye fish. The sharp tip will penetrate any section of the fish without any effort. It is easy to control the edge and keep balance while use the knife due to the non-slip handle with a trigger grip.
The ergonomically design will make you feels comfortable holding the knife. Besides, you will get the safety guard on the handle, you do not to worry about razor-sharp blade cut your fingers. It also comes with a protective synthetic sheath.

#3 Mercer Culinary Millennia Narrow Fillet Knife, 8.5-Inch

Mercer Culinary Millennia fillet knife could be perfect for both professional and home used due to its solid build quality and reasonable price. This is one of the most versatile knife on the market and precise for filleting and slicing walleye. It features a narrow and semi-flexible blade, which help you fillet delicate fish easily. You also can use this knife to remove the fat from meat.
The blade material is made of a single piece of high-carbon stainless Japanese steel. The knife can retain the edge for long period of time even after many time resharpening. The 8.5 inches blade is made of non-staining steel, so you do not need to worry about rust, corrosion, and discoloration. That means, this knife does not require lots of maintenance while still retain strength and durability.
The handle is combination of Santoprene and polypropylene for both comfortable used, durability and great performance
Santoprene. And polypropylene adds some extra durability. Its toughness also ensures it can against aby harsh exposure. There are textured finger points that designed in the handle for firmly grip, non-slip, and protect your finger
What I dislike about this product is that it does not comes with a sheath. Although it is low-maintenance. I can be said that this knife is one of the most popular knives among cooks all over. With a very reasonable price tag, there is no reason to overlooked this knife.

How To Make Halo Halo?

Halo halo, as known as a Filipino shaved ice sundae, is the classic dessert and also the summertime treat in the Philippines. Halo Halo in Tagalog means “mix-mix” so it is a colorful layered dessert composing of the main ingredients: sweetened beans, shaved ice, fruits, evaporated milk and scoops of ice cream.
I am really into Halo Halo and one day I decided to make my own Halo halo. I took many pieces of research on recipes and then did my first Filipino dessert. In this article, I wanna share with you the instruction of “How to make Halo halo” collected from all the actual practices when making this shaved ice sundae.

How to Make Halo Halo?

As I’ve said above, the ingredients which are used to make halo halo are kinda different and various so they need to be placed in a tall glass in order to expose the beauty of these ingredients. The number one element that we can’t ignore is shaved ice. (I had my best shaved ice machine from Amazon here). Not crushed or ice cubes, shaved ice brings the perfect connection to other ingredients easier, especially when you add some scoops of evaporated milk on top.
The main components of a cup of Halo halo like fruits and sweetened beans or ice creams could change by seasons and personal hobbies. You can use jackfruit, mango, banana for fruits; red beans, chickpeas or black beans for sweetened beans also different flavors of ice creams. It depends on what kinds of ingredient you and your guest may like and what is available in your kitchen. After completely choosing ingredients, you need to prepare each of them ready to be placed in the glass, it means that fruits are sliced into cubes and beans are cooked well. Put respectively fruits on the bottom layer and next is the sweetened beans and then add shaved ice drizzled with evaporated milk, finally top this cup by 2 to 3 scoops of ice cream. Additional components that can be used to make your glass of Halo halo become more untraditional are sprinkling some cereals or even adding black pearls. Now mix, mix and mix your colorful and layered glass of Halo halo and enjoy the sound of summer around you.

There are some notes I want you to notice when making and serving Halo Halo:

– When you don’t have any tall glass, you can use a big bowl or cup instead, as long as it is easy for you to mix. Tall glasses just serves for exposing the beauty inside so it is suitable for people who run a dessert store and want to level up the visual of their products in the customers’ eyes.
– The only secret to a great glass of halo halo is no matter it has the best cast of ingredients, it must include the freshly shaved ice. Ice has be to remained soft and snowy so everything will completely mix and bloom in your mouth. It is the reason why you need the best shaved ice machine.

Buying Guide: portable pressure shower

Are you in search of a pressure shower for camping purposes?
Then you came to the right place. Here you will find information on the road shower alternative and what to look for when buying one of these products. If you like camping like most of us, but have a problem when it comes to hygiene, the portable pressure shower will be the end of your issues.

You will be carrying the shower with you, so it should not be heavy. Make a detailed plan for your trip so you can buy the proper size of the shower (capacity). Another thing to look for when buying this product is pressure and user control. The ones with the foot pump are pretty handy.
The water in shower tanks is heated using sunlight and solar technology. Pay attention to the tank size. If you have a big family or you want to wash big surfaces, this water tank should have many gallons.
The materials that have been used to make these products are very important. If the materials aren’t good enough the shower will not last long. For camping in the wild, the shower bag should be quite durable.
The pressure shower can also be used for other activities like washing dishes, cleaning, bathing pets, watering plants and more. This is why the length of the hose matters. The longer the hose the more things you will be able to do with washer and the more flexible you will be. Some pressure showers must be hanged to achieve the pressure, and some can be used from the ground. For them, you will be creating pressure by pumping.

For travelers, this road shower alternative must be compact, light, and come with the proper carrying bag. You will find various models, qualities and sizes on the market but in the end, you choose according to your preferences.
Read more click this link here now.

Brave Fast Browser TOP 2019: Features and Details


Features and details of Brave browser

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  • 11 million people use its privacy-focused browser every month

Trust me and Brave by downloading and trying it and feeling great things from Brave
https://brave.com/tun518
 

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Vancouver Island Visitor Centre #101-3607 Small Rd, Cumberland, BC P: 1-855-400-2882   E: [email protected]