SPEAKERS from across the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America and the Middle East are lining up to participate in an Edinburgh aquaculture conference.

This April, Aquaculture Today 2007 will bring together leading figures in the global seafood industry to focus on the key issues affecting aquaculture development.

High profile speakers will advise delegates on how to attract outside investment, build consumer confidence and stay on top of market developments. Other issues up for discussion include offshore aquaculture, salmon market initiatives and developments in the shellfish sector.

Following an evening of networking on April 17, the conference will open on April 18 with a keynote speech from leading expert in brain chemistry and human nutrition, Dr Michael Crawford.

Karol Rzepkowski, Managing Director of Johnson Seafarms, will discuss how the company successfully pioneered organic cod as a new species for UK aquaculture, and how it has conducted a high profile media campaign promoting its products and sustainable aquaculture.

Conflicting information regarding the environmental sustainability of aquaculture operations in Canada, and the safety and health benefits of aquaculture products, has challenged public and consumer confidence. Mark Burgham, Associate Executive Director of the Aquaculture Management Directorate in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, will discuss the lessons learned from working at the centre of a very polarised debate.

Other speakers due to address delegates include: Mario Santos of DG Fish, European Commission; Doug McLeod, Chairman of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers; Stephen Tait, Freedom Food; Karen Galloway, Seafish; Professor Patrick Smith of Schering-Plough Aquaculture; and Martin Jaffa of Callander McDowell.

The winners of the 2007 Aquaculture Today Fit for the Future Awards will be announced at the Gala Dinner, which will be held on the evening of April 18. This year the awards have been split into five categories: Contribution to Aquaculture; Finfish; Shellfish; Innovation; and Graduate. The winners’ shortlist will be published on the conference website.

The shortlist for the 2007 Crown Estate Scottish Salmon Farmer Awards will also be announced at the Gala Dinner.

Now in its third year, Aquaculture Today is the UK’s leading aquaculture conference and is a highlight of the industry events calendar.

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