AquaVision 2016, the 11th edition of the world business conference on aquaculture held in Stavanger, Norway, was officially closed June 15 by Steven Rafferty, Managing Director of the Skretting Group and Member of the Nutreco Executive Committee.
Thanking more than 375 delegates from 35 countries for their participation in what has been a busy and enlightening conference program, Rafferty said there should be no doubt that aquaculture will be a major contributor of nutritious food for a global population that is forecast to grow to 9 billion people by 2050, but he also urged the industry to become much more forthcoming with transparent details about its actions and ambitions.
“When John Naisbitt, the bestselling ‘Megatrends’ author, was our keynote speaker 10 years ago, he told us that aquaculture has a great story to tell, but criticized us for not telling it. At the same time, he recognized that through the efforts of international NGOs, the public was drowning in criticism of aquaculture but starved of positive information from the industry. Fast forward to this year and we have heard many similar messages. I believe we still have a fantastic story to tell and we should all make the effort to become much more vocal,” he said.
Equally as important, said Rafferty, is the need for all industry players to collaborate more, to ensure that everyone is doing a good job, and to enhance the reputation of aquaculture globally.
“We are in the same water; we cannot operate alone. It is our obligation to look after this industry together, and that has been a constant theme running through this conference and many previous AquaVisions.”
One of the most pressing issues requiring industry attention is its response to the global megatrend of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Rafferty echoed the plea made by Knut Nesse, CEO of Nutreco, at the start of AquaVision 2016, for collaboration across the entire aquaculture value chain to reduce the use of antibiotics.
“At Skretting and Nutreco, we see this as a genuine showstopper. I would therefore urge everyone to engage and look at what they are doing with regards to antibiotics, and let’s work together to remedy the situation,” said Rafferty.
The 12th edition of AquaVision will be held 18-20 June, 2018.
