Issues raised in Workshop Session 1
Introductory and keynote presentations.
The ASEM process was explained and its five priorities, one of which is aquaculture,
were set out.
Important issues for ASEM are 1. The environment 2. Trade 3. Social issues.
Within these areas, the Workshop should identify ASEM priorities, and attempt
to find a design for effective networking. The EU contribution is perceived as
the value-added component, in building on existing networks, etc.
Points made by the speakers in the first thematic area which gave a broad overview
of European and Asian aquaculture concerning the above three issues were:
- Environmental sustainability:
need for economically viable product without destruction of environment
genetic degeneration, pollution, disease, poor quality feed
Solutions : polyculture
- recycling (waste becomes asset)
- recirculation technology
- carrying capacity and environmental capacity
- Siting of farms very important (integrated CZM)
- Vaccination techniques
- Trade: food safety and quality/consumer security
- importance of traceability of product
- certification
- quality
- codes of practice
- whole food product chain
- Policies needed to address
- financial issues
- educational issues
- communication and public awareness issues
The first day's Panel discussion session covered the following points:
- Sustainability:
- Must involve societal and operational goals/types of partnerships to
find common goals
- Participation of community/farmers/local decision-makers essential
for progress
- Role of women in sustainable aquaculture
- New sustainable technologies must get down to the farmer
- Food safety-consumer security
- Market forces - consumer avoidance of poor quality
- High production of poor quality leads to low prices: involvement/establishment
of producer associations and self-regulation
- Research should anticipate trends and possible problems- risk assessment,
modelling
- Policy environment and social issues
- Social equitability
- Better communication pathways
- Public awareness of options
- Education (starting at government level)
- Involvement of different types of organisations, including producer
associations
- Building on existing networks wherever possible