Asia Pacific Aquaculture Conference

Asia Pacific Aquaculture Conference
Name	Asia Pacific Aquaculture Conference
Status	Active
Genre	Scientific conference
Frequency	Triennial
Venue	Various
Country	Asia-Pacific region
First	1970s
Organizer	Regional and international aquaculture organizations

Asia Pacific Aquaculture Conference The Asia Pacific Aquaculture Conference is a major triennial scientific meeting bringing together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss advances in aquaculture, fisheries, and aquatic resource management. The conference facilitates exchange among participants from institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Aquaculture Society, and regional bodies including the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, supporting collaboration between countries like China, Japan, India, Indonesia, and Australia.

Overview

The conference convenes delegates from national research institutes such as the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, and National Institute of Aquatic Resources alongside universities like the University of Tokyo, University of Queensland, Cornell University, Nagaoka University of Technology, and University of the Philippines; industry stakeholders from firms similar to Thai Union Group, SalMar, and Marine Harvest; and policymakers from ministries including Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (India), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan), and Department of Agriculture (Philippines). Sessions typically include technical presentations, poster sessions, workshops, and policy panels featuring representatives from organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme, and International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management.

History and development

Origins trace to regional meetings in the 1970s involving entities like the Asian Development Bank and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management which addressed shrimp and finfish culture after initiatives such as the Green Revolution influenced agricultural policy. Subsequent decades saw participation from laboratories such as CSIRO and National Institute of Oceanography (India), universities including Wageningen University and North Carolina State University, and multinational companies similar to Cargill and BASF Aqua that drove commercialization. Key milestones include adoption of technical standards aligned with organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and research collaborations with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation leading to advances in selective breeding, disease diagnostics, and hatchery technologies.

Topics and themes

Program themes cover applied research in species such as Penaeus monodon (giant tiger prawn), Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white shrimp), Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout), Salmo salar (Atlantic salmon), Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), and Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (iridescent shark). Interdisciplinary panels draw on work from laboratories like Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, institutes such as International Rice Research Institute, and agencies like NOAA Fisheries to address broodstock development, recirculating aquaculture systems, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, feed formulation with contributions from Evonik-style industrial partners, and pathogen management including research influenced by World Organisation for Animal Health. Sessions also integrate conservation perspectives informed by groups like IUCN and BirdLife International and socioeconomics research linked to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development studies.

Organization and governance

Steering committees often include representatives from the World Aquaculture Society, Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, national bodies such as Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FAO), and academic consortia including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-linked working groups. Host institutions have included universities like Kasetsart University, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and National University of Singapore with logistical support from municipal governments of cities such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Busan, and Melbourne. Program governance aligns with ethical and scientific standards promoted by organizations such as Committee on Publication Ethics and funding partnerships have involved donors like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NORAD.

Notable conferences and outcomes

Past conferences produced landmark proceedings and technical manuals that informed regional practice, including best-practice manuals on hatchery management adopted by agencies like the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and policy briefs cited by the Asian Development Bank. Notable outcomes include coordinated disease surveillance networks modeled after Global Aquaculture Alliance protocols, collaborative breeding programs involving WorldFish and national institutes, and technology transfer initiatives linking companies akin to AquaBounty with public research institutions. Specific meetings catalyzed multinational projects funded by European Union research programs and bilateral initiatives with agencies such as JICA and USAID.

Impact on regional aquaculture policy and industry

Recommendations from conference panels have influenced regulatory frameworks in economies such as Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia by informing stocking policies, environmental impact assessment practices, and export standards aligned with World Trade Organization agreements. Industry uptake has included expansion of hatchery capacities, adoption of recirculating aquaculture systems promoted by companies like Xylem and Pentair-style firms, and scaling of sustainable feed initiatives reflecting research from institutions like Wageningen University & Research and Technical University of Denmark.

Participation and awards

Participation spans scientists, extension officers, private-sector executives, and students from institutions such as James Cook University, Hokkaido University, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Shanghai Ocean University. Awards presented at the conference have recognized excellence in research, innovation, and community engagement with honors comparable to prizes from the World Aquaculture Society and fellowships funded by foundations like the Leverhulme Trust and Wellcome Trust.

Category:Aquaculture conferences