The conference was formally opened at a welcome reception last night by Kyam Maher MLC, South Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

It is the first time since 1999 that this annual World Aquaculture conference has been held in Australia, and the first time in South Australia.  The Government of South Australia, through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), is host sponsor of the event.  South Australia won the right to host the event in 2010.

“As one of the leading aquaculture states in Australia, it is most appropriate that this conference is being held in the beautiful city of Adelaide, here in South Australia,” Michael Schwarz, Outgoing President of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), said.

“Globally the aquaculture industry produces almost 70 million tonnes annually(1), and continues to be the fastest growing food-producing sector (2).

“World fish consumption per person has increased from an average of 10 kg in the 1960s to more than 19 kg in 2012(3).  Aquaculture and fisheries are now increasingly helping feed the world and will continue to into the future.

“So this is not a small cottage industry and, as the fastest growing food producing sector in the world, it is essential that every year we sit down and review where aquaculture is heading, given its critical importance to ongoing global food security and nutrition.

“So, on what is World Oceans Day(4), I welcome all delegates and media from across the globe to this important meeting, and I thank you for wanting to play a part in shaping the future of global aquaculture.”

Australia’s National Aquaculture Council (NAC) Chair, Pheroze Jungalwalla, also thanked everyone for attending WAA14, especially the large number of people from around the world who have made their way to Adelaide, noting that there will be four days of discussions, with each day having 12 concurrent sessions featuring over 80 subjects in total. Australia is producing just over one third of the 580 presenters.

“It is an interesting observation that, ever since Australia’s NAC has partnered with WAS, these conferences have in many ways tracked the path of the aquaculture industry itself,” Mr Jungalwalla said.

“These events have nurtured new and exciting developments in the region by promoting the development of sustainable aquaculture, and the science and production technology needed to support such expansion.

“Coincidentally, it is estimated that at the time of this conference, for the first time in Australia, the value of aquaculture will be equal to that produced by the Australian wild catch industry(5).

“Australia’s aquaculture industry produces about 90,000 tonnes of seafood every year, generating about AUD$1.3 billion in revenue(6), and aquaculture is now the fastest growing primary industry in Australia.

“Australia has the potential to not only significantly grow its production; it can become a leader in aquaculture technology and use this to develop services for the whole Asia-Pacific region.”

Skretting Australia, the leading supplier of aquaculture feeds in Australia and New Zealand, is the naming rights sponsor for WAA14.  Other major sponsors are the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

South Australia is proud to be hosting World Aquaculture the annual event organised by the World Aquaculture Society which incorporates the biennial Australasian Aquaculture Conference and Trade Show (theme ‘Create, Nurture, Grow’) in a joint arrangement with National Aquaculture Council.

1. FAO, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014, 19 May 2014. 
2. FAO, Aquaculture, 2014.
3. FAO, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014, 19 May 2014.
4. World Oceans Day
5. Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, May 2014
6. Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, May 2014