Qingdao: Nearly 700 of the world's top aquatic enterprises are taking part in the 2009 China Fisheries & Seafood Expo held in Qingdao.

The exhibition, which opened November 3, displays new technology, products and services within the fishing industry and has an area of 30,000 sq m. It is divided into three sections: international, domestic and facilities areas.

Enterprise representatives from 28 countries including Argentina, Chile, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, as well as local cities and provinces, are taking part in the event. Half of the registered exhibitors are from overseas, whose specialized area accounts for 38 percent of the total.

A variety of events will be held during the exhibition including the Chinese Fishing Industry Trade Development Forum, the 2009 Shandong (Qingdao) Top 10 Fishing Brands Promotion Conference and the Zhoushan Seafood Purchasing Guiding Conference.

The exhibition is sponsored by the CCPIT- Specialized Sub-council of Agriculture, with the Sea Fare Expositions, Inc being its overseas sponsor.

“Such a sophisticated exhibition will attract figures in aquaculture from all over the world. We are going to handle the new opportunities and challenges together,” an American fishery representative told China Daily.

Other exhibitors said they would take advantage of the event to seek more business opportunities and discuss ways to respond to the economic downturn.

The annual event, which started in 1996, has gradually developed into the largest and most influential fishery exhibition in Asia, boosting the sustainable development of the Chinese aquatic foodstuff trade.