Despite some progress in rebuilding Asia’s shrimp aquaculture business, its vulnerability to disease outbreaks continues to disrupt production. Production of farmed shrimp in Asia declined to an estimated 2.2 million tonnes in 2015 compared to the pre-early mortality syndrome (EMS) production of 3.2 million tonnes in 2011. Non-EMS affected countries like Indonesia, Philippines and India are also contributing to the global shortfall in supply.
Faced with the presence of ongoing and emerging shrimp diseases, industry stakeholders have to contend with adverse multiplier effects, including losses in revenue, production efficiency, rising production costs, and emotional stress for farmers.
“This is a critical time for intervention and to redirect the industry into pathways that are more sustainable, economically and ecologically, if it is to remain competitive. Effective stakeholder engagement and a holistic approach are key to resolving disease issues and improving profitability,” said Zuridah Merican, editor of Aqua Culture Asia Pacific magazine.
The Aquaculture Roundtable Series (TARS) 2016: Shrimp Aquaculture & the New Normal, to be held August 17-18 in Phuket, Thailand is a follow-up to the TARS 2014 meeting that focused on the recovery, revival and renaissance of Asia’s shrimp aquaculture. TARS 2016 will provide a neutral platform for key stakeholders to convene and exchange insights and experiences as to how Asia, as a unified group, can reconcile to increase its sphere of control in disease mitigation.
The two-day meeting aims to take the industry to a New Normal with better management and control of all the variables in shrimp farming. It will bring to focus, new management tools and production techniques, updates on research and development, and innovative business models that can be adopted.
“While no one size fits all, each sector needs to find the right business model. It is important for the industry to self-regulate and take a more pro-active approach to marketing its shrimp,” Dr Merican reiterates.
As with the past five successful roundtable series, TARS has become the industry’s foremost opinion leading aquaculture event in Asia. TARS 2016 will feature 4 state-of-the-science plenary sessions with 16 presentations by local and international speakers, and 3 interactive breakout sessions that have become hallmarks of this series. TARS 2016 will also introduce Hard Talk with Shrimp Farmers – a dialogue session with hard-hitting questions on farming models, challenges and success with disease mitigation.
TARS 2016, organized by Aqua Culture Asia Pacific and Corporate Media Services, and supported by Department of Fisheries of Thailand is expected to draw 200 participants representing the industry and key stakeholders from the region. Industry sponsors include INVE Aquaculture, Biomin, Biomar, Aquativ, Nutriad, Jefo and DSM.
More information on TARS 2016, program and registration details.
