About 13th AFAF
About 13th AFAF
The 13th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (13th AFAF) is a scientific forum organized by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and addressing issues faced by the fishery and aquaculture industry. The main purpose of this 3-day forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists and young researchers from around the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. This forum brings in a wide variety of knowledge and expertise to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. In view of the prevailing global COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to organize the 13th AFAF as a virtual forum for safety reasons. Since this is the first virtual forum, we are all excited to explore this new technology and opportunity for learning and networking.
Please join us for the 13th AFAF Virtual forum from 31 May - 02 June 2022.
Mission statement
Fisheries and aquaculture play an important role in providing nutrition for billions of people in the world. Climate change and the world’s increasing population are both major stressors on the global fishery and aquaculture industry. The “3S principle” (Sustainable Fisheries, Smart Aquaculture, and Splendid Future) theme of the 13th AFAF conveys the core idea of the conference, which is to create a splendid future by improving sustainable fisheries and incorporating smart technology in aquaculture. This forum will provide a platform for the research community to discuss key issues relating to several SDGs and to share their progress, technical innovations, and knowledge. Along with the key issues mentioned above, the forum also welcomes discussions that focus on fisheries, ornamental fisheries, aquaculture diseases, live feed and nutrition, gender equality in fisheries and aquaculture, genetic biotechnology applied to aquatic animals, advancements in the application of artificial intelligence, aquaponics, and solar power/aquaculture synergies, climate resilience, and environmental management, and fisheries policy and governance. This virtual forum aims at providing an equal opportunity for all participants to interact with the experts to get valuable insights on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Theme
Combining recent trends with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), the theme of the 13th AFAF is "the 3S principle", which stands for Sustainable Fisheries, Smart Aquaculture, and Splendid Future.
Sustainable Fisheries
Sustainable fisheries are those which maintain viable and persistent wild populations in their natural habitat. In 2018, the SOFIA report showed that about 34.2% of the world’s fish stocks are presently being caught at biologically unsustainable levels, compared to only 10% in 1974. Managing fisheries to meet the growing demand of global fish production is thus an important and urgent issue. This can be achieved by the appropriate governing bodies enforcing limits on exploitation while ensuring that fishermen are not unduly disadvantaged. In most countries, certain fishery management practices have been effective in maintaining sustainable fisheries. However, the recent COVID-19 outbreak has impacted aquaculture production due to reduced fishing, labor shortages, and a ban on exports. The 13th AFAF will gather experts and scientists from different countries to address issues on the health of fish stocks, impact on ecosystems and obtain recommendations on developing effective strategies in breeding, disease management and improve sustainability by incorporating new technologies and strengthen the policy of fisheries.
Smart Aquaculture
Maintaining a balance between demand and supply is vital to fishery and aquaculture production. However, managing the growing demand for aquatic animals with limited natural resources is a challenge. Smart aquaculture uses technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and robotics in production and management operations thereby facilitating faster decision-making. This forum will be a great place to bring together researchers from diverse fields and experts from the companies to share their innovative ideas and experiences in incorporating smart technologies to obtain higher fish production from the limited land area and improve biosecurity by reducing human intervention in aquaculture and fisheries.
Splendid Future
We are optimistic that our collective effort towards sustainable fisheries and aquaculture will eventually lead to a splendid future. In the present scenario of increasing population, climate change, disease outbreak, unemployment, and poverty there are two major SDGs of concern namely SDG2 “Zero hunger” and SDG7 “Life below water”. Both the SDGs can possibly be achieved in fisheries and aquaculture by increasing the production of fish and fish products with high nutritional value. Although the growing demand may result in depletion of marine resources, water pollution, and aquatic diseases, protecting the vast ocean resources is also an important issue. Hence, by using innovative and high-throughput technologies as well as implementing new policies, we aim to accomplish our vision of food security, gender equality, and sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture. We believe that this forum will bring in like-minded professionals to strengthen the application-based research and integrate smart aquaculture, biotechnology, and advanced genetic breeding technology collectively to develop sustainable fisheries and aquaculture as well as improve marine resource utilization.
8 Topics
13th AFAF X SDGs
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
To combat climate change and restore an environmental balance, in 2015 the United Nations, promoted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with environmental, economic, social, and educational aspects that together aim to achieve the sustainable development of our planet.
The 13th AFAF broadly links to SDGs that can be applied specifically for fisheries and aquaculture. For example, SDG2, “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, aims at tackling food shortage issues by increasing aquatic production using sustainable practices. SDG5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” aims to close the gender gap in fisheries and aquaculture. SDG7, “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” argues for the use of modern technologies in developing clean and efficient renewable energy from marine resources. SDG12, “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” aims at ensuring a balance between demand and supply in the fishery sector. SDG13, “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” reiterates the need to take corrective measures to implement sustainable practices to protect the ocean, sea, and marine resources. SDG14, “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”, emphasizes the efficient use of ocean resources.
The United Nations FAO, which is the agency responsible for implementing SDG14 in member countries, has advanced an ambitious agenda that addresses such complex challenges as malnutrition, hunger, and climate change. To achieve these SDGs, the FAO is proposing a code of conduct for fisheries that encourages responsible management while supporting the requirements of developing countries, fisheries management, fishing operations, aquaculture development, coastal area management, post-harvest practices, trade, and fisheries research.
The 13th AFAF will serve as a platform for researchers from different countries to exchange their scientific knowledge and experiences towards implementing a sustainable aquaculture sector while providing an opportunity and create a chance for young researchers to understand the current trends in fishery and aquaculture research. In addition, the forum will provide an opportunity for aquaculture-based companies to showcase their advanced technologies and products that can benefit the fishery and aquaculture industry.
Joining us and 13th AFAF to be promoters of sustainability and social responsibility initiatives for fisheries and aquaculture.
Why attend the 13th AFAF
1. Understand Global Trends in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Learn about the challenges in fisheries and aquaculture, gain a new perspective on sustainable fisheries, smart aquaculture from interactive sessions.
2. Gain International Visibility
Opportunity to present your research work, get suggestions and feedback from experts, a wide variety of topics for learning, live interactive Q&A sessions.
3. Reward and Recognition
Get an e-certificate for participation, an opportunity to compete and win the best presentation awards in each topic.
4. Expert Opinion on Sustainable Fisheries
Interact with scientists and professionals from different countries to obtain new knowledge and ideas to improve sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture
5. Innovative Technologies in Sustainable Fisheries
Learn about the application of smart and innovative technologies and practices to improve fish production and management with limited resources.
6. Network with International Professionals
Opportunity to build a network with international participants and professionals in career development, research, or business collaborations.
Concept of 13th AFAF Logo
The unconventional design of this year’s logo is a traditional art form in Tainan. The 13th AFAF logo symbolizes the core ideas of this forum, especially the 3S principle (Sustainable Fishery, Smart aquaculture, and Splendid future) and the SDGs that emphasize key issues relating to the importance of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Green line: Represents mountains as an accumulation of knowledge, and as an environmentally friendly sustainable resource. It is also an abstract expression of the cross-sectional terrain of Taiwan.
Blue loops: Represent the vast ocean resources that are self-replenishing, constantly transforming, and maintaining sustainability through fluctuations.
Faces of the boy and girl: Represent the people in fisheries and aquaculture with high energy and potential, and the continuous flow of knowledge that is passed down by their forebears. The placement of two faces at the same level depicts gender equality in fisheries and aquaculture.
Fish and shrimp: Represent the rich harvest of fisheries and aquaculture, while the smiles evoke good health and the restoration of a balanced supply and demand.
Circle: Symbolizes that all entities in the logo go hand in hand in creating a sustainable fishery and aquaculture with interdependence, harmony, and interaction.