ASEM Aquaculture Platform

Side event 3 - Global Conference on AquaculturePhuket, Thailand

September 22-25, 2010

Patrick Sorgeloos - CoordinatorJean Dhont - SecretaryGhent University (Belgium)

THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE ASIAN AND EUROPEAN AQUACULTURE SECTORASEM Aquaculture

Platform

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

ASian European Meeting

ChinaJapanIndiaPakistanMongolia

“… an informal process of dialogue and cooperation, based on equal partnership and enhancing mutual understanding …”

WHAT IS ASEM

ASEAN

EU

USA

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

1996, Bangkok: ASEM inauguration summit

1999, Beijing: Meeting of Ministers of Science & Technology

ASian European Meeting

• Shape future science & technology cooperation• Identify priority areas: - forestry

- water management- clean production- AQUACULTURE

MILESTONES

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

3011.817,055.4

export

import

Trade flows of aquatic products into Europe

Source: FAO, 2007

WHY ASEM “AQUACULTURE” Platform

(in million USD)

Europe imports 67 % of its aquatic foodstuffs

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

• Reconcile concerns for seafood quality and safety• Identify joint research, education and business

opportunitiesASEM AquaculturePlatform

WHY ASEM “AQUACULTURE” Platform

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

Building the network, Expert consultation, ...

1996, Bangkok: ASEM inauguration summit

1999, Beijing: Meeting of Ministers of Science & Technology

2002, Beijing: Aquachallenge Workshop

ASian European Meeting

• Shape future science & technology cooperation• Identify priority areas: - forestry

- water management- clean production- AQUACULTURE

2003, Belgium: ASEM Aquaculture Platform

2009, Belgium: AqASEM ‘09 FP7 Coordination & Support action (2009-2013)

MILESTONES

ASEM AquaculturePlatform

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

The ASEM Aquaculture Platform is a multi-stakeholder platform supporting the dialogue on sustainable aquaculture between ASEM member countries with the aim to: - Formulate a joint research agenda

- Move these into effective policies (national, supra-national)- Support new partnerships

The ASEM Aquaculture Platform scientists, industry, retailers, consumers, policy-makers

• Management committee• Steering committee• Platform members: • universities & research institutes / academic networks

• governmental & inter-governmental organisations• non-governmental organisations / consumer associations• companies / technology platforms• individual experts

• open-ended list• anyone who can contribute to

or benefit from our activities• pool of expertise

• European Commission (2003-2006 & 2009-2013)• Flemish & Belgian Research funds (2003-2010)• Platform partners (in kind contributions)

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

THEMES

1. Link with industry:

2. Best Management Practices:

3. Environment (IMTA):

4. Food safety & certification:

5. Disease & Health management:

6. Education:

7. Empowering vulnerable stakeholder groups:

create structural bonds between the European and Asian aquaculture industry and facilitate opportunities for mutually beneficial interactions.

promote wider adoption of BMPs for key aquaculture commodities in NACA member countries.

increase the awareness in Europe on the advantages of polyculture & build partnerships for developing innovations for the aquaculture industry in both regions, based on IMTA principles.

support the dialogue on the development of aquaculture certification schemes.

address issues of major economic or environmental significance and concern to both regions including diagnosis, preventative measures and treatments.

make an active contribution to the harmonisation of European and Asian aquaculture education in order to assess strengths and gaps in aquaculture education against the sectors’ research needs.

develop action plans towards empowering poor farmers and women in aquatic food production

EATIPNACA

CAFnetVIFINET

UoS

AquaTNET, NACA, AIT, …

UPM

FAO

FAO

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

MECHANISMS

CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION ON DIFFERENT APPROACHES AND SOLUTIONS

IDENTIFY A COMMON ISSUE/PROBLEM/CONFLICT

FORMULATE COMMONLY ENDORSED RECOMMENDATIONS

PUSH RECOMMENDATIONS ONTO POLICY LEVEL

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The ASEM Aquaculture Platform: a bridge between European and Asian aquaculture sector

TAKE HOME MESSAGES

the ASEM Aquaculture Platform:

1. develop a joint European & Asian aquaculture research agenda

2. is an open-ended forum for dialogue and welcomes anyone who can contribute to, and benefit from our activities

3. operates through a expert & stakeholder consultation on selected crucial issues