Latin American Aquaculture Conference

Latin American Aquaculture Conference
Name	Latin American Aquaculture Conference
Status	active
Genre	Aquaculture
Frequency	Biennial/Annual
Venue	Rotating host cities
Location	Latin America
First	20th century origins
Organizer	Regional associations and universities

Latin American Aquaculture Conference The Latin American Aquaculture Conference is a recurring scientific and industry meeting focusing on aquaculture practices, production, and policy in Latin America, bringing together researchers, producers, and policymakers. It serves as a forum for exchange among representatives from fisheries, marine biology, and agricultural research institutions across the region. The meeting often interfaces with international organizations and regional development banks to align aquaculture initiatives with trade and sustainability goals.

Overview

The Conference convenes delegates from institutions such as Food and Agriculture Organization, Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations Environment Programme, and regional bodies like Latin American and Caribbean Fisheries Commission and Aquaculture Without Frontiers. Presentations commonly cite research from universities including Universidad de Chile, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad de São Paulo, Federal University of Santa Catarina, and Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, while industry partners include firms associated with Cargill, BASF, Tyson Foods, and regional cooperatives. Sessions integrate policy frameworks referencing Mercosur, Pacific Alliance, Andean Community of Nations, Organisation of American States, and standards from International Organization for Standardization and GlobalG.A.P..

History and Development

Origins trace to professional symposia associated with institutions such as International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, World Aquaculture Society, and national programs like INAPESCA in Mexico and Embrapa in Brazil. Early gatherings paralleled initiatives by FAO fisheries projects and bilateral cooperation involving United States Agency for International Development and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Over decades the Conference incorporated technologies from laboratories like Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and research stations linked to Universidad de Buenos Aires and National Autonomous University of Honduras, evolving alongside commercial shifts in shrimp, tilapia, and salmon sectors led by companies in Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, and Mexico.

Organizers and Partners

Organizing committees typically include national aquaculture associations such as Brazilian Aquaculture Association, Mexican Aquaculture Association, and academic networks including Latin American Network for Aquaculture Research and regional chapters of the World Aquaculture Society. Partnerships extend to multilateral actors like UNIDO and regional NGOs such as Conservation International and World Wide Fund for Nature offices in Peru and Colombia. Private-sector sponsors have included feed producers linked to Skretting and equipment firms with ties to AquaBounty Technologies and container logistics companies operating in Panama and Chile.

Conference Themes and Tracks

Typical thematic tracks address production systems (shrimp, tilapia, salmon, molluscs), genetics and breeding, feed and nutrition, health and biosecurity, environmental impact assessment, and value chains. Tracks reference technical approaches developed at centers like Mote Marine Laboratory, CINVESTAV, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, and best-practice guidelines from Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Emerging topics include climate resilience, referencing Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, circular economy models promoted by Ellen MacArthur Foundation exemplars, and digitalization strategies linked to World Economic Forum dialogues.

Notable Sessions and Speakers

Keynote speakers and session chairs have included researchers affiliated with Peter Benchley Ocean Awards laureates, senior officials from FAO fisheries division, and academics from University of Stirling, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, and University of Bergen. Panels have featured leaders from national ministries such as Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Chile), representatives of export authorities like ProChile and ProEcuador, and corporate executives from regional seafood exporters. Workshops led by staff from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and veterinarians from World Organisation for Animal Health have addressed disease surveillance and certification.

Impact and Contributions to Regional Aquaculture

The Conference has influenced policy dialogues in forums like Summit of the Americas-adjacent events, contributed to technical manuals adopted by FAO and national agencies, and promoted research collaborations among institutions such as Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad Estadual Paulista (UNESP), and Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. It has accelerated adoption of innovations from companies and labs including Skretting, Novozymes, and university spin-offs, and fostered regional networks that engage with trade bodies like International Trade Centre and certification schemes administered by Global Aquaculture Alliance.

Attendance, Locations, and Frequency

Attendance typically includes academics, industry delegates, policymakers, and NGO staff from countries across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Host cities have rotated among regional hubs such as Santiago, Chile, Guayaquil, Fortaleza, Cancún, Cartagena, Colombia, Lima, and Panama City. The meeting cadence varies between annual and biennial schedules depending on sponsoring bodies like World Aquaculture Society affiliates and national ministries, with satellite workshops organized alongside events such as SeaFood Expo Global and regional trade fairs.

Category:Aquaculture conferences