The global coronavirus outbreak has claimed the 2020 Seafood Expo Global.
Organiser Diversified Communications has postponed the event, which had been set to take place between April 21 and April 23 in Brussels, Belgium.
A large British contingent travels annually, with Grimsby and Scotland particularly well represented.
Group vice president Liz Plizga said: “Postponing is inevitable and unavoidable because of public health concerns.
“Diversified Communications has made the very difficult decision that, due to the magnitude of the unanticipated public health and safety issues posed by the rapidly escalating COVID-19 outbreaks and contagion, we have no choice but to postpone the upcoming edition of Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global,”
She said a new date should be announced before March 18.
“We value the support of everyone involved in the making of this event our vendors, the local authorities, the venue and, most of all, our partners, friends and customers in the seafood industry. We are looking forward to getting this strong seafood community back together in the near future,” she said. “Until then, we send heartfelt thoughts to those who are affected by COVID-19.”
2020 is set to be the final year in Brussels before it moves to Barcelona in 2021.
Exhibitors and visitors will have the option of rolling over their fees to the later event, or alternatively, to the 2021 version of Seafood Expo Global, scheduled for 27 to 29 April, 2021.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Belgian government issued an advisory urging the cancellation of indoor events with more than 1,000 attendees as a method of containing the spread of COVID-19.
Belgian Minister for Health Maggie De Block also recommend that people in Belgium maintain their distance from others in social settings.
It follows the recent losses of the Vietshrimp Aquaculture International Fair 2020, the World Tuna Trade Conference & Exhibition, and Aquafeed Horizons 2020, as well as commercial property event Mipim - in France.
Diversified Communications has already postponed the Boston Seafood Show. A new date is expected by mid-April, with the event supposed to have taken place this month.
