Getting ready for Aqua Nor- Trondheim, Norway - August 13-16, 2013Teddy bears have picnics in the woods; aquaculturists have conferences in Trondheim. The Norwegian city is a little off the beaten track but it has served as the meeting point for the global aquaculture industry for over 30 years.
Aqua Nor started as a small sideshow to a conference on smolt production, which was held in Trondheim in 1979. About 20 companies wanted to exhibit their equipment and technology, and the show was a big hit. It was run by the organisers of the fisheries exhibition Nor-Fishing, which held its first show back in 1960.
As the exhibition developed rapidly, it was given the name Aqua Nor and made into a more international show. It has been held once every two years since, and always in Trondheim.
Today Aqua Nor is the largest aquaculture technology exhibition in the world and is conveniently held just after the conference held by the Aquaculture Europe conference. In 2013 Aqua Nor will have about 550 exhibitors from around 30 countries, and the organisers, the Nor-Fishing Foundation, expect some 17,000 - 20,000 visitors from over 60 countries.
The large fish feed companies have decided to participate again as exhibitors after being absent from the last two shows. As these companies play an important role in the development of modern, science based aquaculture, the show organisers are extremely pleased and proud to welcome them back.
The event is aimed at pretty much anyone and everyone involved in aquaculture from researchers, financial organisations and government officials to technicians and equipment suppliers. "One of the most important features of Aqua Nor is that it is a forum where you meet practically everybody in the business. I believe that the meeting place is as important as the actual show," says Erik Hempel, director of communications, Nor-Fishing Foundation, Norway.
With such a wide spectrum of visitors, many technology companies choose to introduce new innovations at Aqua Nor. To encourage this, the organisers, introduced the Innovation Award, which is given to the best new product or process that is introduced in the past year.
In addition to getting a heads up on the latest innovations and technology, the exhibition is also has space debate the hottest issues in aquaculture.
"I believe that fighting disease is important, as always. In the salmon industry we have problems with sea lice, and there are a number of companies and research institutes who are fighting that.
"And then there is the problem of giving the aquaculture industry a good image. Many environmental organisations and special interest organisations are fighting against aquaculture, in spite the fact that most experts agree that this is the way to go if the world is going to be able to produce enough food fish for a growing population," says Hempel.
These issues, and others, will be the subject of a series of mini-seminars and discussion groups during the exhibition. For example, there will be a short, mid-day session every day called Speaker's Corner, where experts, politicians and scientists debate the biggest issues.
Trondheim is ready for the aquaculture invasion, are you?
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Champion of white sturgeon to open international sturgeon symposium on Vancouver IslandRick Hansen named as Honorary Chair of ISS7NANAIMO, BC - Rick Hansen, Founding Chair of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) and Co-Chair of the Rick Hansen Foundation, will open the plenary session as Honorary Chair of the 7th International Sturgeon Symposium (ISS7) July 2013 on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Expected to attract more than 600 delegates from around the world, the symposium is co-hosted by Vancouver Island University's International Centre for Sturgeon Studies and the City of Nanaimo.
Under Hansen's leadership, the FRSCS develops and promotes education, public awareness initiatives, award-winning research programs and recovery plans for the Fraser River white sturgeon population.
Hansen received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Vancouver Island University in 2009 for his leadership and inspiration to millions of people around the world.
"Champions are required to lead important causes, and we are honored to have Rick Hansen accept our invitation to be Honorary Chair of the ISS7," said Dr. Ralph Nilson, President and Vice-Chancellor of VIU.
"His trail-breaking work to support white sturgeon conservation through the FRSCS is yet another remarkable example of the value to society that a champion like Rick Hansen can play by mobilizing public support and involvement on critical conservation issues."
Dr. Harald Rosenthal, President of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society, said, "Rick's work in public engagement is one of the few examples we have that vividly demonstrates what public participation can achieve in species conservation. The public world-wide needs to hear about these living dinosaurs which may face a dire future without the much needed conservation efforts promoted by FRSCS and its leader. Rick Hansen's efforts serve as a model for other jurisdictions and efforts should be globally coordinated with the few already travelling the same path."
"I am truly honored to be selected as Honorary Chair of this event," said Rick Hansen. "As part of a collaborative team, we've spent more than a decade investigating issues that affect the recovery of Fraser River white sturgeon. This symposium will make a difference - it represents the next step in attaining world awareness of preserving vibrant, diverse, ecosystems and developing a healthy planet."
Hansen, along with President Nilson and Dr. Rosenthal, will welcome delegates to ISS7 at the opening reception in Nanaimo on Sunday evening, July 21, 2013. The next morning, Hansen will deliver the opening address of the conference, entitled "Public involvement as a necessary force/strategy for sturgeon conservation."
For more information about the ISS7 symposium or Vancouver Island University's International Centre for Sturgeon Studies, go to iss7.viu.ca