The back-to-back schedule for Global Shrimp Outlook: 2006 and Global Fish Outlook: 2006 successfully brought leaders of the shrimp and fish aquaculture industries together for "seafood synergy" in Miami, Florida, USA.

At the early November events organized by the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the 360 conference participants learned that the shrimp and fish aquaculture sectors face similar issues and opportunities.   Demand for aquaculture products is expected to increase with the expanding population, fisheries landings at maximum capacity, and a growing body of evidence suggesting that lack of adequate seafood can be harmful to one’s health. A common theme was to responsibly manage environmental, social, and food safety issues through certification and to promote the health benefits of seafood. 

"GAA has created synergy and momentum through these events by linking leaders of the aquaculture and seafood sectors, providing them with the latest information, and offering a forum for discussion of issues.  We look forward to building upon this success with similar events in the future," said Jim Hirt, GAA Executive Director.

Under the conference theme of "Global Challenges, Unified Solutions," speakers and panelists addressed issues from food safety to fishmeal. In these lively discussion sessions, participants exchanged views that reflected varied perspectives in different geographic regions and components of the seafood value chain.

During brief, focused presentations, participants also took in the best available information on global production and market data for shrimp and farmed fish.  They learned that the shrimp sector is continuing to grow in a steady linear fashion, while growth in the fish sector over the last year has been led by Pangasius, cod, and tilapia.  They learned the latest trends in the US, Europe, and Japan markets and compared issues among them.  For example, leaders questioned whether carbon monoxide treatment of fish fillets should be condoned in the US, since it is not allowed in Europe or Japan.     

Traceability demonstrations and a presentation by Wal-Mart's Peter Redmond helped Best Aquaculture Practices certification gain further credibility.  GAA announced that new Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards are being drafted for salmon, tilapia, Pangasius, and channel catfish.  Several groups volunteered to join technical committees to review those new standards and offered their farms for pilot scale testing.  With the adoption of the BAP certification by Wal-Mart, Darden Restaurants, and Lyons Seafood, the program has significant momentum in the marketplace. Now other large buyers are seriously considering the adoption of BAP certification.

Global Shrimp Outlook: 2007 and Global Fish Outlook: 2007 will be held in the Mediterranean region of Europe, where the popular combined Outlook schedule will likely be repeated. Organizers of the event will develop more specific data on farmed shrimp and fish based on global indicators that will help participants more accurately foresee shifts in global production and pricing.

The Global Aquaculture Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture.

For more information on GAA and its Outlook conference series, contact the Global Aquaculture Alliance Home Office: e- homeoffice@gaalliance.org.