Page 5 - World Aquaculture Magazine - March 2011

World Aquaculture 3
President’s column
Conferences are the key vehicle by which the
World Aquaculture Society upholds its mandate
for knowledge mobilization. In addition to our
annual conference and exhibition, we also hold
several national and regional chapter meetings
each year. While some geopolitical realities make
it more and more of a challenge to meet in cer-
tain areas or countries, we continue to expand
our reach on other fronts. In January 2011 WAS
marked another important milestone. The WAS Asian-
Pacific Chapter held their annual meeting in Kochi, India.
This was the first time that WAS held a meeting in India,
an important aquaculture producing country. There was a
significant turnout for the conference, industry technical
sessions, trade show, as well as the Giant Prawn 2011 meet-
ing which was held in conjunction with the Asian-Pacific
Chapter meeting (see Roy Palmer’s meeting report elsewhere
in this issue). Given the participation from people all over
India, other countries and the broad representation from
industry, academia, government and others, I believe this
meeting will have a significant and lastly impact on future
sustainable aquaculture development in this region.
In addition to travelling in and around Kochi and the
beautiful countryside in the Munar Hills and the backwaters,
I also had the opportunity to work in the WAS booth at the
conference and I was very pleased to see a high level of interest
in people from that region of the world in the WAS, includ-
ing our books, conferences and other publications. And, as we
were successful in recruiting many newmembers to the Society,
I would like to extend a welcome to those new members.
WAS conferences can have an important local economic
impact in and around the
conference, as well as a sig-
nificant longer-term socio-
economic influence on
sustainable development
in the countries where we
meet. This is due in part
to the knowledge mobil-
ization efforts at our meet-
ings (the exchange and
dissemination of the latest
research findings, tech-
niques, innovations, etc.)
but also the importance of
the collaborative approach
we take to holding our conferences. We have an important
partnership with the National Shellfisheries Association and
the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society in
hosting the triennial aquaculture meetings every three years
in the USA. Our next triennial will be held in Nashville, Ten-
nessee February 21-25, 2013. We also have a key partnership
with the European Aquaculture Society, where we try
to host a joint meeting every six years. In addition, we
are actively exploring the possibility of staging a joint
meeting in 2012. More details should be available in
the next issue of the World Aquaculture magazine. Our
other international and chapter meetings also repre-
sent a significant partnership with host nations. Lo-
cal government, industry and researcher engagement
is fundamental to ensuring a program that supports
local interest and benefits. And lastly, all our meetings also
represent collaborations with many other affiliated aquacul-
ture organizations, all of which share a common vision and
approach with WAS. In addition to a collaborative approach,
the basis of a successful event is also predicated on a com-
bination of many other factors, including a solid scientific
and technical program and a venue that attracts the interest
of producers and suppliers in being able to realize a benefit
from attending. These and the dedication of our WAS staff
and meeting volunteers all contribute to the growing success
and impact of our meetings. I look forward to being able to
expand our global reach in terms of both membership and
meeting venues and to your involvement.
Finally, I would like to make note that our next annual
conference and trade show in Natal, Brazil is soon approach-
ing. A truly exciting program for the meeting is planned.
Natal is an ideal venue for our meeting and we can, of course,
expect a special welcome from our Brazilian colleagues. It will
also mark the end of my Presidency and as this will be my last
column, I would like to thank the World Aquaculture Society
Board of Directors, staff, officers, editors, committee mem-
bers and other members for your support over the past year.
The WAS is a volunteer organization and
its ongoing success truly depends on the
solid dedication of its members. I appreci-
ate your efforts and the faith placed in me
over the past year. Thank you and I hope
to see you in Natal!
— Jay Parsons, PhD.
President
Chinese fishing nets
Local fish species