The value of holding a world scientific conference devoted to the biology and culture of shrimps and prawns was recognized by interested scientists and regional fisheries councils and commissions more than a decade ago. Problems related to shrimp and prawn research were being treated on an area basis and some degree of inter-regional coordination was highly desirable. During a ten-year period, 1948 to 1958, world shrimp and prawn production had increased by 25 percent, and the necessity of exchanging knowledge between scientists and experts on the rational exploitation, management and conservation of these resources became apparent. In addition, interest in the culture of these organisms by government-controlled research institutes and private industry had increased further.
The importance of convening an international conference of this character was endorsed by the Twelfth Session of the FAO Conference in 1963, recommended by the FAO Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research (ACMRR) at its Second Session, February 1964, and finally approved by the Thirteenth Session of the FAO Conference in 1965. The world scientific meetings on Sardines and Related Species (Rome, 1959), and on Tunas and Related Species (La Jolla, 1962), both convened by FAO, had contributed immensely to bringing together all available information on the exploitable species and on the research implemented, and also had assisted in orienting FAO's program of work in these specialized fields. In addition, such a conference was regarded by FAO as a contribution to the International Biological Program (IBP), and was accordingly co-sponsored by the Marine Productivity Section of the Special Committee for the IBP under the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).
The Government of Mexico graciously offered to be host to the Conference, and through the agencies of its Ministry of Industry and Commerce gave the maximum support to all the local arrangements, as well as publicity, both nationally and internationally. The premises of the Medical Centre of the Mexican Social Security Institute and a full complement of experienced conference staff were made available.
When it became known that the International Shrimp Council (ISC) and the Shrimp Association of the Americas (SAOTA) planned to convene their joint annual meeting in Mexico City from 8 to 10 June 1967, arrangements were made for the FAO World Scientific Conference to follow on from 12 to 21 June. The concurrence of the two meetings, each originating from a different concept but basically of a complementary nature, was considered advantageous to both scientists and representatives of the industry.
Preparatory work for planning the World Scientific Conference on the Biology and Culture of Shrimps and Prawns was initiated in the spring of 1964. Investigators actively engaged in shrimp research and culture were requested to suggest the scope and objectives of the Conference, and a Consultative Group was established to assist FAO in the planning and organization. In selecting the members of this group, which would carry out its work through correspondence, due consideration was given to adequate geographic and subject representation:
| Dr. E. E. Boschi (Argentina) | Mr. M. N. Mistakidis (Chile)1 |
| Dr. D. J. Crisp (United Kingdom) | Mr. I. S. R. Munro (Australia) |
| Mr. E. W. Ellis (San Salvador) | Mr. G. de Neiva (Brazil) |
| Dr. M. Fujinaga (Japan) | Dr. M. Nikolio (Cuba) |
| Dr. D. N. F. Hall (United Kingdom) | Dr. H. G. Orcutt (U. S. A.) |
| Dr. L. B. Holthuis (Netherlands) | Mr. R. Ramirez Granados (Mexico) |
| Dr. C. P. Idyll (U. S. A.) | Mr. A. Rifaat (U. A. R.) |
| Dr. S. Jones (India) | Dr. I. A. Ronquillo (Philippines) |
| Dr. J. H. Kutkuhn (U. S. A.) | Mr. A. C. Simpson (United Kingdom) |
| Dr. A. R. Longhurst (U. S. A.) | Mr. E. Smidt (Denmark) |
| Dr. M. Massuti (Spain) | Dr. Tham Ah Kow (Malaysia) |
| Dr. K. F. W. Tiews (Federal Republic of Germany) |
1 At that time an expert under a UNDP/SF Project assignment
As a result of correspondence exchanged, it emerged that the scope of the Conference should include all biological aspects, including detection methods and statistics, of species: (1) for which there is a substantial fishery; (2) for which there is good reason to believe that natural stocks are adequate to form the basis of a substantial fishery; and (3) which are being cultivated or which would appear suitable for culture.
The final agenda items which developed into discussion sections were:
Resource appraisal
Life history
Physiology and behaviour
Statistics of catch and effort
Stock assessment
Culture of shrimps and prawns
Standardization of research methods
FAO Indicative World Plan (IWP) survey of crustacean resources
All sections were to be discussed in Plenary Session, except the last, which was established as a Working Party, and convenors and rapporteurs were to be nominated for each section.
The objectives of the Conference were identified as the review, application and assessment of: (1) known scientific facts, (2) gaps in knowledge, (3) theories and concepts, (4) methods and equipment, and (5) to offer a scientific basis to the development of a strong fishing industry. In addition the Conference would consider and recommend future lines of endeavour in the studies of biology, exploitation and culture of shrimps and prawns, particularly on aspects of world-wide interest and application, such as:
Identification, distribution, life history, behaviour in relation to environment
Population parameters, scientific survey and assessment of stocks, fluctuations, methods of capture and behaviour related to capture
Current exploitation, potential fisheries, rational utilization
Specific problems and outlook for future international cooperation
Means whereby such international action could be made possible
The majority of the above objectives could not be achieved without appropriate background documentation and members of the Consultative Group and selected scientists were asked to prepare, in advance of the Conference, species synopses, review papers, regional summary papers and experience papers.
