With the world population racing past the 7 billion mark and natural fishing stocks overexploited, aquaculture will be expected to provide for the increasing global seafood demand, in a sustainable and profitable way. This year GLIMPSE the future of aquaculture at “Farming the Sea” during the 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, Ky., USA, from May 19-22.
“Nobody doubts the enormous potential of farming the sea; in fact the spotlight is now on aquaculture and what its contribution will be to the future of food. However, with concerns growing about sustainability and the overfishing of wild stocks, it is essential that we as an industry decide how to move forward,” said Jorge Arias, Alltech’s global aqua director and co-chairperson of the aqua track. “In addition to this we must ensure that the end product is as safe and as healthy for the consumer as it is currently renowned to be.”
“Our challenge will be to provide cost effective solutions that ensure the growth of the industry while maintaining the reputation of aquatic products as the healthiest food the planet can provide,” added John Sweetman co-chairperson of the aquaculture track.
New in 2013, Alltech International Symposium delegates will have the opportunity to select breakout session tracks. These tracks, as opposed to traditional species or subject breakouts, will offer attendees a more holistic experience in which they take part in discussions ranging from algae and agriculture’s carbon footprint to nutrition and marketing.
Farming the Sea’s aqua-focused breakout session tracks include:
•The Sea - An Untapped Resource: Is the sea just another dumping ground for our waste, or is it a source of energy from wave power, and the source of protein from fish? Managing the sea, managing our resources.
•Rethinking Fish: We are told to eat fish twice a week, but is the fish you are eating really providing the nutrients you think it does? Have the DHA levels dropped, and if so, is fish now just another protein?
•Salmon Farming: How is the industry addressing ecological concerns?
•Sustainable Sea Challenge: Developing aquaculture and fisheries while safeguarding our future.
•Aquaponics: A case study showing at a simple level how this could work.
•Feeding Farmed Fish in a Sustainable Way: The Peruvian fish market has collapsed. What are the strategies to cope with the situation? Where will the fish meal and fish oil substitutes come from? The role of algae.
•Shrimp: Feast or Famine. Why not grow shrimp in areas where the necessary raw materials are present—corn and soy? Is this the way to sustainability?
Aqua industry members will also get the opportunity to attend two exclusive discussion panels taking place on May 20 and 21. The aim of these is to cover the fundamental issues in the aqua industry from two different perspectives:
•May 20 - How to Keep Your Stock Healthy - Robust, healthy fish stocks perform better and are less susceptible to disease risk and stress.
•May 21 - Aqua Feed and Nutrition - Aquaculture nutrition must adapt and be flexible in order to overcome raw material challenges while maintaining product quality and health benefits for the consumer.
Registration for Alltech’s 29th Annual International Symposium is open now and available for an early discount price of $599 until April 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Standard registration after April 15 will be $850. Two paid registrations from a single company or organization will receive a third registration free of charge. Delegates who are members of ARPAS and AAVSB can also earn CEUs.
Attendees are encouraged to register early as space is limited. Of the nearly 3,000 international delegates who attended the 2012 Alltech International Symposium, 97 percent indicated that they plan to attend again.
For more information, or to request an invitation, contact a local Alltech representative, visit www.alltech.com/symposium or email symposium@alltech.com.
