20/01/14: Ex-IFIF Secretary General appointed President of newly formed AISP

Roger Gilbert, publisher of the aquaculture magazine International Aquafeed, has been appointed President of the newly formed Association of International Seafood Professionals.

Roger Gilbert left talks to Joseph Barbi (centre) of ESE & Intec with vistors attending the APA13 exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in December 2013

He joins Roy Palmer who has been tasked with running the newly formed association and is its new Executive Director.

"The aims and objectives of the AISP are based on individual participation with the view that by drawing together inputs from all sectors of the industry, and that includes those working in the capture industry as well as in fish farming, our industry can better organise itself and determine its future role," says Mr Gilbert.

"It's an honour for me to be appointed the Association/s first president. I am particularly keen to see seafood recognised as a major source of protein in our diets and for the benefits in health that it delivers.

"For 22 years I worked as Secretary General of the International Feed Industry Federation through its developmental years, and I feel well qualified to assist in the establishment of this organisation during this critical inception period.

"Fish has a rightful place in food security policies and must be actively supported and encouraged by governments everywhere.

"China has shown us how freshwater fisheries, for example, can make a significant contribution to the supply of proteins in human diets and how fish farming can add to a country's economic viability through the employment of thousands of people."

Even Europe is now waking up to the opportunity freshwater fisheries offer in terms of addressing its protein imbalance - Europe is less than 26 percent self-sufficient in protein production - and employment opportunities, he adds.

Mr Gilbert says AISP will not compete with existing organisations serving various sectors within both the aquaculture and fisheries sectors, but give voice to individuals and assist in raising standards and the recognition of those standards throughout the industry.

Executive Director Roy Palmer says from Australia, that the world is changing and the seafood industry needs to change with it. 

"The incredible rise and opportunity of aquaculture added to the continued improvement in fisheries worldwide are essential elements as the population increases and food security increases its importance," he adds.