Adelaide hosts World Aquaculture Conference 2014
For the first time since 1999, Australia played host to the annual World Aquaculture Adelaide 2014 (WAA14) held from 7–11 June at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
With more than 2,000 delegates from around the world, WAA14 combined the international annual conference and exposition of the World Aquaculture Society with the highly successful biennial Australasian Aquaculture event.
The aquaculture industry has firmly established itself as a significant contributor to South Australia’s primary industries and regional communities. In 2010–11 the aquaculture industry became the State’s leading producer of seafood, contributing almost 54% of the total value of seafood production.
The EPA participated in the global trade show with an exhibit focused on the EPA’s role in the management of aquaculture in South Australia, and a number of key aquaculture projects such as the 90-day tuna project, the release of the SA Oyster Basket Recycling Feasibility Study and the monitoring of South Australian waterways using Aquatic ecosystem condition reports.
Principal Adviser Aquaculture Tara Ingerson presented on working with industry to achieve good environmental outcomes and joined Luke Fraser (PIRSA) to discuss the key outcomes and benefits from the 90-day tuna projects. Senior Scientific Officer Coby Mathews spoke about the recommendations of the feasibility study into recycling plastic oyster baskets.
The aquaculture industry in South Australia is regulated via the Aquaculture Act 2001 which is administered by PIRSA with the EPA playing a key role as a mandatory referral agency for aquaculture licence/lease applications and by providing advice on policies, legislation and environmental monitoring programs.
WAA14 was an opportunity for the international aquaculture community—academics, industry researchers, market and industry analysts, government officials, policy makers and industry representatives to build relationships, present their work, exchange ideas and develop a vision for the future of the aquaculture industry.