World Aquaculture 2008 puts spotlight on Asia

With industrial aquaculture poised to overtake capture fishing as the primary supplier of fish for human consumption worldwide, World Aquaculture 2008 heads to Asia for a look at its thriving aquaculture industry.

Some question whether the aquaculture industry can grow fast enough to meet the projected increase in demand without causing environmental problems and in the face of constraints that include the depletion of water resources and a limited availability of feeds.
Some question whether the aquaculture industry can grow fast enough to meet the projected increase in demand without causing environmental problems and in the face of constraints that include the depletion of water resources and a limited availability of feeds.

World Aquaculture 2008 will provide the first chance for the international aquaculture community to visit Korea when it takes place at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, Busan, Korea, on 19-23 May, 2008.

Titled, "Aquaculture For Human WellbeingThe Asian Perspective," this year's conference and accompanying trade show will allow attendees to learn about the diverse and rapidly expanding aquaculture industry in Korea as well as aquaculture developments in the rest of Southeast Asia and around the world. The major international trade show at World Aquaculture 2008 is the place to see the newest technology presented by exhibitors from around the world.

Demand growing

Quantities of fish for human consumption coming from capture fishing in open waters are unable to rise further, predicts the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Specialists there predict that growth in aquaculture will be necessary to fill the gap in a market where an expected 37 million metric tons of fish will be needed by the year 2030 to maintain current consumption trends in the wake of an expanding global human population. Growth in consumption could push that demand even higher.

That reality means world aquaculture still has a great potential for further growth, even after growing from an annual output of just one million tons to the current level of almost 50 million tons over the last five decades. A report by the FAO calculates the turnover of the business to have reached US$70.3 billion when judged on the price received by producers, with retail value in multiples of that figure.

Addressing the anticipated growth in its industry, World Aquaculture 2008 itself will showcase a diverse offering of aquaculture topics. Expected subjects to be covered include safety issues, organic markets, neutracuticals and other issues related to human wellbeing, crustacean culture topics such as shrimp feeding and raising freshwater prawn, sustainable production systems, marine and freshwater finfish culture topics including hatchery, nursery, nutrition and health issues, as well as mollusk and other species subject areas. The educational portion of the conference is also expected to cover the areas of economics and marketing.

Focus on farming

World Aquaculture 2008 will have a special Farmer's Day with the latest in practical knowledge for the Korean aquaculture producers. The conference will also provide the opportunity to participate in a farm tour and sightseeing tours organized by the Korean Aquaculture Society.

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