Rainforest Seafoods rated among the best

Scottish oysters, popularly touted as aphrodisiacs, are raised in some of the most pristine fish farms while bathing in fresh water and salt water from very clean, unpolluted sources, says British High Commissioner Hasif Ahmad. The British emissary, during a visit to the Caribbean's largest exporters of fish and shellfish, Rainforest Seafoods, pointed out that there was scope for trade in seafood to increase between Jamaica and Scotland, owing to the island's constant demand, particularly, for Scottish salmon and oysters.

The high commissioner was on his second official fact-finding mission in the western city, Montego Bay, recently, when he stated that the demand for Scottish seafood, can be attributed largely to the influence of Jamaica's tourism industry.

"Scotland is rather under-populated. The way in which the currents and the rivers and others work, it refreshes itself at all times. The oysters that are here, they have had their own bath ... fresh water and salt water from very clean unpolluted sources. These products are very cherished. They are not overfished. They are quality controlled. The brand is promoted so people know what they are eating," he explained.

"Rainforest does have a long-standing relationship with the UK, bringing in salmon, oysters, and mussels from Scotland. Originally, it was wild salmon (exported from Scotland), but demand made it possible to really do it that way. So that actually requires farming salmon in a way in which you maintain the essence of the fish, but it is done in a way in which you reduce diseases and other things. So you actually get a farm salmon, which is of a very high quality," Ahmad added.

The high commissioner also commended the principals of Rainforest Seafood for operating within sustainable fishing principles. He cautioned that Jamaica's fishing trade would only continue to thrive as long as the island remained steadfast in establishing its own direct trade routes to its international buyers and suppliers and did not get entangled in trade wars.

"If they get caught up in trade wars among giants innocently, some way you have to navigate yourself through those... that's why the UK always believed in free and unfettered trade as the answer to trade disputes, is to settle them not to raise the tariffs," he said.

Rainforest has had a two-year trade relationship with Loch Fyne, an award-winning Scottish company, to bring fresh, never frozen, seafood to Jamaica. This includes the finest salmon, oysters, mussels, scallops, kippers, and smoked salmon which are flown in to Jamaica weekly from the UK.

Loch Fyne has received worldwide recognition for both its oysters and its salmon range, which includes whole salmon, fillets as well as several varieties of smoked salmon, which are hand cured and traditionally smoked. The products are particularly popular with chefs in the hotel industry and are used regularly by Half Moon, Melia Braco, Iberostar, and Round Hill, among others.

As the Caribbean's leading seafood supplier, Rainforest says that it is proud to offer this line of products in Jamaica.

"Our Seafood Market restaurant is the home of our fresh on-ice seafood, and our customers can order any of the fresh seafood products there one week in advance, and it will be delivered chilled, on ice, to their doorstep anywhere in Jamaica," the company states.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com