(This story is being updated)

Seafood Expo North America (SENA), also known as the Boston seafood show, has been cancelled for 2020, according to Diversified Communications, the organizers of the show.

Diversified announced the cancellation in an email to exhibitors.

The show has been rescheduled for March 14-16, 2021, Diversified said.

John Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), praised Diversified for the move.

"[The decision] was likely a tough one but illustrates Diversified’s commitment to listen to its customers and its ability to be nimble in a time of change," he wrote.

"Diversified’s actions reflect the responsiveness and innovation found in seafood harvesters, processors, distributors, retailers and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic."

In April, Diversified announced revised dates for its Boston event -- one of the most important annual gatherings for the seafood industry. The show was slated to be held Sept. 23-24.

Diversified postponed the Boston show, which was originally slated to take place March 15-17, as concerns over coronavirus began to spread.

The group also postponed the Brussels seafood show, Seafood Expo Global, which was slated to be held in April. That event is slated to move to Barcenlona in 2021.

The cancellations are major financial blows for Maine-based Diversified. Sources with knowledge of Diversified’s seafood events told IntraFish in March the company has a profit margin in the 25-30 percent range including direct and indirect costs.

That would put Diversified’s estimated profit for the two shows combined at between $8.7 million (€8.1 million) and $10.5 million (€9.8 million).

Seafood Leadership Series LIVE on June 30: The whitefish outlook

Join Espersen, Rabobank, Birds Eye Iglo, Insula, Chang International and Vinh Hoan on June 30 as we explore the future of the global whitefish supply and demand. Click here to register for this FREE webinar.