 | ||
World Fishing Exhibition is an exhibition dedicated to the fishing industry that is held once every 6 years.
Contents
History
The World Fishing Exhibition has its own history. Celebrated for the first time in 1963 in the United Kingdom as a biannual event, the first four shows were held at the famous Earl’s Court and Olympia Hall. After the 5th exhibition, the show went on the road to other countries and in 1971 took place at The Royal Dublin Society where it was organized by the Irish Government. The sixth edition, which was the first in Spain, was held in Vigo in 1973. Thereafter it travelled to Marseille, Halifax and Copenhagen.
From 1963 to 2003 the World Fishing Exhibition increased in both size and significance. Each show increased number of companies showing as well as for the amount of international visitors it received.
WFE 1973
Vigo Selected to Stage the World Fishing Exhibition In 1973, Vigo, Europe’s leading fishing port, was elected to stage the World Fishing Exhibition. This Event had been celebrated five times in London and once in Dublin. The decision of the Organizing Committee ratifies the position of the local industry in the vanguard of the sex fishing activity.
These were years of expansion for the fishing industry. Hardly a decade ago, the shipyards in the Ria de Vigo launched the first freezing vessels. At that time, the debate concerning the extension of jurisdiction over the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone was being treated at the United Nations. After former USSR and Japan, Spain was the third fishing nation in the world; with a fleet of 4.600 fishing vessels and annual catch levels of 1.610.000 T. That time marked a major step forward in the development of the fishing industry in Spain.
VIGO’73 covered a surface area of 11.000 m2. Companies related to fish processing, on board as well as on land, occupied the biggest number of stands. During the Exhibition, several engine companies, (40 European and American firms were represented), sold all exhibited items. Important contracts for deck machinery, comprising winches, drums, electronic detection and navigation equipment, ropes and fishing nets, etc., were signed.
WFE 1985
Another edition of the World Fishing Exhibition took place in 1985. Since the 1973 exhibition, two major events marked the evolution of the fishing industry: the 200-mile EEZ was introduced in the late 1970s, to gain legal access to the inshore seas of coastal nations. On the other hand, the world energy crisis of the 1970s inevitably affected the fishing companies. Apart from this, the Spanish fishing industry underwent the rapid changes and reforms that took place in the first years of EEC membership.
The Spanish fishing industry became more internationalized by implementing new forms of trade relations with EC countries and extra community countries. Spain's entrance into the Common Market and the growing creation of many joint ventures with African and Latin American countries, as alternative to the declaration of the 200-mile EEZ limit, brought about new commercial flows. The massive response to this edition evidences the growing necessity to overcome uncertainty and concern about the future of fisheries. In the Exhibition, important trading operations were agreed on, among which the construction of 10 kingfishers for Mozambique and 24 multipurpose units for Angola were outstanding. A big delegation from Auckland placed the first fishing vessels order for New Zealand.
The WFE featured distinguished figures such us the Director of the FAO, Edouard Sauoma, and the President of the Spanish Government, Felipe Gonzalez, who looked over the pavilions hours before its official inauguration. Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries from 23 countries such as Argentina, Federal Germany, Angola, Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Guinea-Conakry, Equatorial Guinea, Uruguay, etc. also attended the I Conference of Ministers of Fisheries, held in parallel to the WFE- Vigo`85.
WFE 1991
Since the implementation of the EEZs, the Spanish fishing industry directed all efforts into seeking to become internationalized. Privatization of fishing zones gave the search for new forms of management and access to fishing resources urgent priority. The creations of Joint ventures were the formula for understanding between countries with resources and companies owning the technology and the know-how.
This unstoppable process of internationalization was demonstrated at the 1991 WFE in Vigo. Latin American countries such as Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador or Peru as well as African countries such as Morocco, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, etc. generated the greatest prospects for business. At the same time as they were showing interest for the acquisitions of technology to permit them exploit their own resources, they offered new opportunities for the EC fishing industry. Representatives from Peru or Colombia explained in detail their generous new laws for foreign investors. Other delegations from Burma, Senegal, Nigeria, Venezuela, Mauritanian, India, etc. made open offers for the creation of joint ventures.
WFE 1997
After the WFE Vigo´1991, changes were beginning to be felt in the fishing context, above all in the long distance fleet. The seizure of boats outside the 200 mile limit gave way to new formulas for the management of deep sea fishing resources and the RFOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations) began to seem the best way forward to guarantee responsible and sustainable management of these fisheries. In 1995, the New York Agreement on straddling and highly migratory species was signed; and at the same time, the revision of the Common Fisheries Policy or the renovation of important agreements concerning the community fleet, were also on the table. Actions taken by the industry were global and the sector began to consider a more commercial approach to fishing.
Within this universal structure for the industry and its problems, the international features were reflected by the high level of foreign presence at the WFE-VIGO’97. All estimates were surpassed by far, with the participation of 800 companies from 51 countries and more than 200.00 visitors.
WFE 2003
In September 2003, Vigo was once again host of the exhibition.
The Conference on Deep Sea Fisheries came about due to the need expressed both by the industry itself as well by the bureaucrats and the scientific community to guarantee the sustainability of these fishing resources. After two days of intensive work and debate, the meeting concluded with the signature of the Declaration of Vigo, a document of agreement upon the definition of the path to follow to guarantee future exploitation of these resources and in which the creation of a multilateral organ, namely International Council for Deep Sea Fisheries is agreed.
The exhibition consisted of almost 800 companies from 80 nations converging on Galicia to do business. Over 70,000 world wide professionals attended that show spending an estimated EUR 400 million.
WFE 2009
World Fishing Exhibition Vigo 2009 was held from the 16 to 19 September 2009 at the IFEVI Exhibition Center, Cotogrande, Vigo, Spain. The exhibition is the sixth held in the European fishing port.