Giskeødegård, who is a senior seafood analyst at Nordea, will be speaking at The Fish Site’s seminar, Aquaculture’s Global Outlook: Embracing Internationality, which is taking place at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. In his talk he’ll present a number of possible scenarios of how the sector is likely to develop in the years ahead. Despite a 70 percent growth in global supply from 2010-2018, the farmgate value of salmon has increased 35 percent in the same period, generating a huge increase in value and, with it, massive investments in new technologies. Giskeødegård is set to address the impact that these investments are likely to have on the sector in the decade ahead.
The Nordea analyst is one of a number of high-profile speakers set to present at the event, each offering a unique insight into the current state of the industry and how it’s likely to develop. He’ll be preceded by Melanie Siggs, director of strategic engagement at the Global Aquaculture Alliance, who will ponder how we can increase world-wide aquaculture output by 44 million tonnes by 2030 – the figure promoted by FAO as being essential for meeting the nutritional demands of the world’s increasing population.
“Aquaculture is making an ever-growing contribution to the seafood portfolio and is a critical part of future nutrition security. Enabling that growth responsibly and efficiently requires us to constantly respond to challenges and being innovative in our outlook. As such seminars that foster knowledge sharing and catalyse debate are welcome contributors to that journey,” says Siggs.
The second part of the event will look in more detail at opportunities that lie beyond Europe – a topic that may well be particularly timely for a country seemingly bound to sever ties with the EU.
Professor David Little, from Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, is set to speak on international opportunities for the British aquaculture sector, which has had a rich history of international collaboration since colonial times. However, with the UK’s involvement in European Framework research opportunities perhaps coming to an end, Prof Little will ask “how international collaboration can lead to win-wins”.
Clifford Spencer, chairman of Aquaculture without Frontiers, will round off proceedings by making the case for the huge aquacultural potential offered by Africa and the hurdles that need to be overcome to realise this scope for growth.
At the moment, he notes, aquaculture accounts for only 18 percent of the continent’s total fish production – with small-scale farmers and semi-subsistence producers dominating the sector. However, he will explain how aquaculture production is projected to expand by over 60 percent in the next decade – due to increasing culturing capacity, rising local demand caused by economic growth and favourable policy environments, making it an exciting time for aquaculture specialists to get involved in Africa.
Other talks include a presentation on the Marks & Spencer Select Farm Assurance scheme, in which Patrick Blow, the company’s aquaculture manager, will shed light on the best practice measures, including excellent animal welfare policies, required by the retailer.
Meanwhile a whistle-stop tour of some of the 100+ aquatic species currently being farmed around the world will be given by Nicki Holmyard, the well-known seafood journalist and progressive mussel farmer, who is also a judge for the 2019 Aquaculture Awards, which are being presented at an awards’ dinner in the same venue – Dynamic Earth – later that day.
“I was pleased to be asked to join the impressive line-up of speakers at the seminar, all of whom are taking a wider look at the global aspects of our industry. The theme of the seminar, Embracing Internationality, complements this year’s Aquaculture Awards as the list of entries was truly global. And with the uncertainties of Brexit still looming, I hope that the event will inspire delegates to seek greater international opportunities to help develop their businesses,” she reflects.
Details
Aquaculture’s Global Outlook: Embracing Internationality is taking place in the Biosphere Room, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh on 29 May. It's free to attend, but spaces are limited. To secure your place register now via Eventbrite.
