EuroTier blog: Fish in Focus

Producers, processors and politicians discuss the future of aquaculture in Germany at EuroTier 2012.

International Aquafeed (IAF) has been supporting the development of aquaculture at EuroTier for over six years, while the marketplace for aquaculture in Germany has been under development for just 10 years.

With the FAO already telling us that aquaculture accounts for just under half of all seafood consumed - up from about 10 percent over the past 30 years - it is beyond question that fish will play an increasingly important role in human diets in the quest to feed nine billion people by 2050.

In Europe, and Germany in particular, over 80 percent of fish consumed is imported, says Dr Birgit Schmidt-Puckhaber, who is DLG's project manager for aquaculture.

 

Watch Dr Schmidt-Puckhaber talk about aquaculture at EuroTier 2012

"Aquaculture is an integral part of EuroTier," she told The Aquaculturists on the setting-up day for this key event for world livestock production, in Hannover, Germany.

"This year we have been overwhelmed with the interest in aquaculture with more than 60 participants registering in advance to participate in the Aquaculture Forum."

Dr Schmidt-Puckhaber says that aquaculture is not getting the support it needs to develop its potential, particularly in Germany were locally-produced fish are finding favour with consumers.

"We've seen a significant increase in fish production in recent years but it should be more. We are bringing producers, processors and politicians together to hear about how fisheries in a land-locked country like Germany are doing in terms of their natural resources and how they might develop in the short term," she says.

The first day of EuroTier 2012 - which runs from Tuesday November 13 through to Friday evening November 16 - will open with a Forum Aquaculture in Hall 23 on 'Aquaculture and stocks in natural waters'.

Tuti Tan and Darren Parris set up the International Aquafeed and Grain and Feed Milling technology stand (Hall 23 Stand C04) at EuroTier 2012 in Hannover, Germany today

Dr Schmidt-Puckhaber says the industry needs more support and a panel discussion at the end of the first morning's session will challenge politicians in the run up to Germany's elections in 2013, by asking politicians what they are doing for the sector in the question: "If aquaculture and fisheries had a vote ....?"

If you can't make it to the opening tomorrow morning, then plan on coming either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Wednesday's sessions in the Forum Aquaculture theatre in Hall 23 will turn its attention to aquaculture and feed followed by aquaculture in practice. On Thursday: aquaculture and neighbours, aquaculture knowledge and aquaculture and trade. Friday deals with aquaculture and technology, aquaculture and quality and closes with aquaculture and organics.

IAF is just opposite the Aquaculture Forum in Hall 23 Stand C04. We welcome all visitors - EuroTier, even as a late decision to attend, will be worthwhile this year.

The full aquaculture programme can be viewed on the EuroTier website.