May 4, 2015
5th edition of TARS aquaculture event to be held in Vietnam
Into its fifth successive year, The Aquaculture Roundtable Series (TARS 2015) will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, August 19-20.
The aqua feed market in Asia continues to grow in close parallel with the increasing global demand for farmed fish and shrimp. Consumption of seafood is increasing with the expanding middle class population and the shift towards healthy foods, especially in developing nations. This growth in aquaculture is driving the market for the region's aqua feed industry.
The global aquafeed market is estimated to be worth US$122.6 billion by 2019 (Transparency Market Research). Asia's aquafeed production was 27 million tonnes in 2014 and is expected to grow (Alltech Global Feed Survey, 2015).
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for aqua feed, accounting for more than 67% of total consumption. China, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Japan are the major players.
With increasing global demand for safe and sustainable products, this sector has to not only stay ahead of demand but also be able to support sustainable farming.
"As aquaculture moves towards an integrated supply chain, the industry faces multiple challenges. Markets demand superior feeds based on sound nutrition and sustainable practices that address environmental, social and food safety aspects," says Dr. Zuridah Merican, conference chair and editor of Aquaculture Asia Pacific magazine.
"There should be more focus on science and less dependence on empirical information to design optimal feeds for each stage of the animal's growth as well as to meet the demands of the consumer," she adds.
With this year's theme being "AQUA FEEDS 2.0: From Farm to Plate", the event will explore innovative approaches to optimise feeds and feeding for shrimp, freshwater and marine fish for various culture systems and phases of production; new technologies, including functional feed solutions for better health management, immunity and disease resistance; and, product innovation and branding considerations to meet changing consumer demand and preferences.
Dr. Merican says, "The supply chain for shrimp, freshwater and marine fish share similar bottlenecks but each has its own opportunity and threats. Through TARS, we hope to equip industry players with sound science, knowledge and technologies to stay ahead of the game. TARS presents a unique platform to ensure that everyone in the industry has a voice."
TARS 2015 promises a comprehensive agenda of state-of-the-science presentations facilitated by renowned experts from Asia, Europe, Australia, and Canada. The meeting will also incorporate thought-provoking, interactive breakout sessions with industry participation that have become the hallmark of this critical series. This year, there will be four breakout groups exchanging ideas on how Asia's aqua feed industry, shrimp, freshwater fish and marine fish sectors should move forward.
Industry sponsors include INVE Aquaculture, BioMar, BIOMIN, Nutriad, Jefo, DSM, SPF Aquativ and Alltech.
For more information on TARS 2015, visit www.tarsaquaculture.com
