The steering committee for World Aquaculture 2017 recently announced the keynote speakers for the upcoming meeting in Cape Town, South Africa on June 26 - 30 2017.
- Dr. Slonas Chimatiro - World Fish Centre
- Tom Hecht - emeritus Professor - Rhodes University
- Gorjan Nikolik - Rabobank International
- Rohana Subasinghe - FAO retired
Dr. Slonas Chimatiro has played a leading role in formulation of fisheries and aquaculture policy and governance programs for the African Union. He is currently Program Manager: Fish Trade at the World Fish Centre, Zambia, where he is responsible for the a Pan-African Fish Trade Research Program, aimed at generating evidence to inform intra-regional fish trade in Africa.
Tom Hecht has played a lead role in the development of aquaculture in southern Africa in a career spanning research, policy, development and commercial involvement. He is an emeritus Professor of Rhodes University where he helped to position the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science as a regional center of excellence in aquaculture.
Gorjan Nikolik is Senior Industry Analyst, Food & Agribusiness Research & Advisory at Rabobank International. Since joining Rabobank in 2005, Nikolik has been an industry analyst focusing on the global seafood sector including aquaculture, wild-catch, seafood trade and processing.
Rohana Subasinghe is a specialist in aquaculture development and aquatic animal health management. After 22 years of service, he retired from the FAO in late 2015, while serving as the Chief of the Aquaculture Branch.
