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7 August 2003, Trondheim, Norway --
Experts, resource managers and policy-makers from
around the world are gathering here to assess the state of the
global aquaculture sector and make recommendations for its
future development.
Over 100 delegates from
some 50 different countries are participating in the second
meeting of the FAO Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, which runs
through 11 August 2003.
Aquaculture -- the
farming of fish and aquatic plants in coastal sea areas and
inland waterways -- is growing faster than any other
animal-based food sector, including traditional open-water
capture fisheries.
"The ultimate
objective of the Sub-Committee is to ensure that this important
sector is developed in a sustainable, responsible, and equitable
manner, resulting a product that is nutritious, affordable,
acceptable, safe to eat and accessible to all sectors of
society," said Serge Garcia, director of FAO's
Fisheries Resources Division, at the meeting's opening
ceremony.
Issues of
concern
As international concern
with over fishing of marine and freshwater resources mounts,
greater attention is being paid to aquaculture's potential
to relieve pressure on wild fish stocks and meet the food needs
of the world's growing population.
At
the same time, however, international debates regarding negative
environmental, social and economic impacts of certain kinds of
aquaculture practices have also picked up.
Specific issues of concern include loss of natural
habitats, the use of antibiotics and fish-meal, invasion of
local ecosystems by non-native species, inclusion of genetically
modified soybean products in fish feed and questions related to
whether communities in some countries are receiving a fair share
of aquaculture profits.
In light of these
concerns, FAO is working with countries around the globe through
events like the Trondheim gathering in order to foster
international cooperation in charting out a sustainable,
responsible and equitable future course for the world's
aquaculture sector.
Best
practices
The Trondheim agenda
includes a discussion on the implementation of "best
practices" within the sector and talks on creating
better systems for recording statistics and promoting
information-sharing, and technology exchange.
Also slated is a discussion of international
strategies for improving the safety and quality of aquaculture
products.
Through these talks, FAO and its
partners on the Sub-Committee are seeking to promote wider use
of responsible and sustainable aquaculture as a tool in the
fight against hunger and poverty, said Rohana Subasinghe, a
senior FAO Fisheries Resources Officer and Secretary of the
Sub-Committee.
"The potential
contribution of aquaculture to rural development, food security,
hunger eradication, poverty reduction and national economic
development is enormous," he added.
FAO established the Sub-committee on Aquaculture in
2001 to inform its work on fisheries and to promote
international discussions on the future development of
aquaculture. Its membership is comprised of delegates from FAO
member countries.
This year's session
is sponsored by the government of Norway.
Contact:
George Kourous
FAO Information Officer
george.kourous@fao.org
mobile (+39) 348 141
6802
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