2013
WORLD SE A FO OD CONGRESS This coming fall will mark a milestone for the Marine Institute as it hosts the 2013 World Seafood Congress (WSC). The institute’s Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development (CASD) is organizing the 9th annual Seafood Congress which will take place at the Delta, St. John’s from September 28 - October 3. Creative Solutions for Global Challenges is the theme of the event which will be portrayed through expert panels, special interest meetings, workshops and formal presentations. The Seafood Congress builds on existing and new partnerships between the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI), an organization serving the world fish inspection community, members and all seafood professionals and specialists to benefit global seafood trade. “I am honoured to be involved in organizing such a high profile event. The international networks that we have developed as a result of hosting this event are invaluable to MI and to our seafood and aquaculture industries. This is the first time the Seafood Congress has been held in Newfoundland, and only the third time it’s been held in Canada”, said Heather Manuel, director, CASD and program chair, WSC. The event aims to profile innovation in seafood and provide opportunities for maximum participation by all economies involved in seafood trade, including developed and developing economies. In past years, this international event has been held in the United States, Australia, Morocco and Ireland. Key note speakers for the congress include Galen Weston, executive chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited; Cameron Prince, vice-president, Inspection Modernization, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Melanie Siggs, special advisor to
12
HRH The Prince of Wales’ International Sustainability Unit and The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership; Ray Hilborn, professor, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington; and Peter Hajipieris, chief technical sustainability & external affairs officer, Iglo Foods Group. The event will include presentations, discussions, workshops and technical tours in the areas of food safety and inspection modernization, seafood sustainability, seafood innovation, profitable seafood markets, and export and trade. ”IAFI is extremely delighted to be working with the Marine Institute in St John’s, NL for the 2013 World Seafood Congress. Canada was one of the founder members of IAFI and it is wholly appropriate that the Congress is taking place in a country which has always been at the forefront of seafood inspection,” said Chris Leftwich, president, IAFI and conference chair, WSC. “The program for this year’s conference is coming together really well. We will be able to offer an exciting array of presentations by experts in their field that should be of great interest to anyone involved in all different aspects of the seafood industry. As conference chair I am really looking forward to renewing old friendships with all my IAFI colleagues and welcoming new delegates who might be attending the World Seafood Congress for the first time.” A student poster board competition will also be held as part of the Congress. The World Seafood Congress 2013 is supported through funding from the Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Loblaw Companies Ltd, Seafish Industry Authority, Ocean Choice International, Eimskip, World Wildlife Fund, Clearwater, Sobeys and Cooke Aquaculture. For more details on the event visit: www.wsc2013.com