June 30, 2016

AquaVision 2016: Sustainable aquaculture can feed world

The aquaculture industry can provide long-term solutions for many of the most pressing challenges facing the world by following sustainable growth strategies, delegates were told at the three-day AquaVision 2016 held recently in Norway.

Speaking on the aquaculture business conference's theme "Beyond Tomorrow", Yu Sato, chair of the board of Cermaq Group AS, said: "Indeed, sustainable aquaculture, including salmon farming, holds the key to meeting many global challenges, including feeding the world's growing population and helping public health. It also has a low carbon footprint and can provide many local jobs and other social benefits".

Sato highlighted some of the key reasons why its parent company, the Mitsubishi Corporation, is switching its focus from the wild-catch sector to farmed production.

Cermaq, he said, aims to move closer to the consumer in the value chain and build a new marketing focus to learn more about their needs. Toward this end, it is in the process of setting up new sales organisation in Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America, Sato disclosed.

"I want to see the sustainable growth of the salmon farming industry. In order to achieve that, I believe we need to increase the worldwide demand. To have a healthy and sustainable international market, we need stable prices and stable supply", he said.

"I have strong confidence in the potential of this industry to achieve growth", he added.