Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation cancels this spring’s Symphony of Seafood events

The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) is cancelling the rescheduled Symphony of Seafood events planned for this spring due to “ongoing health and safety concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the organization said in a press release.

Preparation efforts for the next installment of the event are planned to resume later this year, with the call for product to be released in August 2021.

“Before making the decision to cancel the Symphony events, AFDF polled industry partners and participants, and the results were clear that COVID-19 has hindered the industry’s ability to produce new value-added products or participate in large events,” AFDF said. “Without healthy participation by industry, the benefits of an in-person or virtual event are limited.”

Additionally, Diversified Communications’ cancellation of the 2021 Seafood Expo North America (SENA) show, which was rescheduled for 11 to 13 July in Boston, Massachusetts, was also a factor in calling off the Symphony events, AFDF said.

“SENA is the central event at which AFDF promotes the winning products of the Symphony each year,” AFDF said.

The organization will continue to feature Symphony winners at SENA — including entrance in the Seafood Excellence Awards — when the in-person SENA resumes in March 2022, it said.

“AFDF will continue to monitor the COVID-19 health crisis and will provide updates to industry and partners on the 2021-2022 competition and events,” the group said.

AFDF will also explore “exciting new opportunities” throughout the year to promote past Symphony winners, as a part of the effort to expand the reach and positive impact of the annual competition.