LACQUA 19 - A light in Central American Aquaculture

by Ivan Marquetti, Managing Director-Latin America, International Aquafeed

With a paradisiacal landscape, Costa Rica welcomed us upon landing at the airport. It was difficult not to admire its mountains, palm trees, thick and abundant vegetation, many rivers and majestic beaches that, from the first, we realised makes this place an ideal hub for the aquaculture industry.

Wyndham Herradura Convention Centre, located outside the city, was where the opening ceremony was held by the organisers of the event - The National Technical University (UTN), the National University (UNA) of Costa Rica and the World Aquaculture Society (LAAC / WAS).
 

Deans of both universities gave us a very accurate idea of the situation of the national economy and local aquaculture sector, a undustry that all agreed is under-exploited and requires national policies put into place to ensure its successful development.

During the three day event, there were sessions and workshops that focused upon the most popular and recognised aquatic species of Costa Rica and other Latin American and Caribbean countries, with a special focus on tilapia, salmon, trout, shrimp, algae, Pangasius and other marine species.

It is important to highlight the presence of many aquaculture students from various universities as well as industry professionals, who filled the conference rooms for each of the talks. I would specifically like to highlight one presentation offered by Dr Tibiabin Benitez-Santana of Aker BioMarine, who delivered a fascinating talk concerning, ‘The health and quality of Atlantic salmon fed on the basis of a modern diet of fish meal from Antarctic krill Euphausia superba’. Herve Lucien-Brun of the Canadian company Jefo Nutrition also gave a very engaging talk on ‘Reduction of the environmental impact of fish farming thanks to the use of protease in aquafeed’.

On the other hand, Kurt Servin, a professional with a vast experience in shrimp, offered an interesting and enjoyable conference thanking all the producers present in the conference room for attending and listening to his presentation. His talk covered his PhD work, originally presented at Plymouth University, UK. Kurt made an evaluation of functional feed additives in commercial conditions, when applied to the pacific whiteleg shrimp.

Thus, five sessions sponsored by the different companies were offered: Ingredients for Aquafeed (DSM); Shrimp Feeding and Nutrition (Zeigler), Functional Ingredients (Jefo, Vymisa, Zinpro), Health in Tilapia (Merck); and Innovations in the Production of Shrimp (Biomar).

Read more, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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