Adelaide reels in fisheries 2020

ADELAIDE, South Australia – following a joint Australia-New Zealand bid, has been named as the host city for the 8th World Fisheries Congress (WFC) 2020 to which more than 1500 delegates are expected to attend.

 

Held every four years, the WFC aims to advance and promote international developments and cooperation in fisheries science, conservation and management.

 

“The sciences, innovation and sustainable practices employed by the Australian fishing industry have led to it being recognised globally and we’re thrilled via this win to be able to showcase South Australia’s industry and our enviably clean environment on which it is built” said Adelaide Convention Bureau CEO, Damien Kitto.

 

The Adelaide Convention Bureau, in making its announcement thanked both the federal and state governments for their support to the bid to bring this event – the premier international fisheries conference to the state.

     

The bid win was lauded by both the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, and South Australian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Leon Bignell.

  

“Australia is internationally renowned when it comes to its seafood and sustainability. These credentials are backed by world class fisheries science that underpins our management systems,” Minister Ruston said.

 

“The announcement of the successful bid for the World Fisheries Congress reinforces the proactive approach Australia has taken to develop its reputation internationally – and I am delighted that South Australia now has the chance to show case it.”

 

Minister Bignell said Adelaide was an excellent choice to host the congress.

 

“The South Australian seafood industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, generating revenue of $876 million. The Congress will provide a significant opportunity to promote our South Australian seafood industry and demonstrate the sustainability of our fisheries to the broader community.”

 

Interestingly Adelaide also hosted the 2014 World Aquaculture Congress attracting some 2600 delegates – many of whom also visited South Australia’s regional fisheries and aquaculture sites, particularly on the Eyre Peninsula during their visit. The WFC 2020 announcement certainly highlights the destination’s global reputation within the genre. 

 
Background

The 2020 congress will focus on the challenges of fishing sustainably and maintaining prosperous fishing communities from oceans and rivers whose functional integrity and conservation values are facing increasing pressure.

 

The event will also examine whether fisheries management practices and sustainability have improved over the last 30 years, what progress has been made since Australia last hosted the event in Brisbane in 1996, and what steps need to be taken in the next 25 years.

 

The Australian Society for Fish Biology that represents Australia on the World Council of Fisheries Societies put forward Adelaide as the host city for an Australia-New Zealand bid to hold the 8th WFC in 2020.

 

The bid team in addition to the Adelaide Convention Bureau included first and foremost, Primary Industries and Regions SA and the Fisheries Research and Development Cooperation. Other bid members included the University of Adelaide, CSIRO, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), the South Australian and New Zealand seafood industries.

 

The South Korean city of Busan will host the 2016 World Fisheries Congress on 23–27 May.