AwF at AFRAQ23 Lusaka

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2 NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR BOARD

Category:Updates

At a recent Aquaculture without Frontiers (Australia) Ltd (AwFA) directors meeting the board appointed a new Director, Assoc Prof Simon Das. 

Simon was born in Bangladesh and came to Australia via a lengthy stay in Malaysia, where he continued his research and studies and was a Senior Lecturer at National University of Malaysia (UKM). He had a short period as a Visiting Research Academic at Deakin University and has recently finished writing a book, ‘Archer Fish Biology’ (https://www.routledge.com/Archer-Fish-Biology/Kumar-Das/p/book/9780367462376 ).

Simon came highly recommended to AwFA, and he remarked “I am very pleased to become a board member at AwFA because I’ve dreamt for a long time on how I could contribute more to aquaculture after being involved for 15 years through my research and teaching in this field. What excites me about AwFA is the prospect of collaborating with like-minded board members who share a common vision of addressing aquaculture issues for the poor and fighting malnutrition. I am currently working on an induction manual, but I am eager to contribute more to AwFA’s mission of sustainable aquaculture development.” 

Additionally, at the Board Meeting Yujia Wang was recognised for his advice and assistance with the website with a new role. Five years ago, Yujia was the leader of a Swinburne University capstone project involving AwFA and he commented, “I see myself as a committed volunteer and I am excited to help AwFA succeed. With my experience in redesigning websites and years of volunteering in maintenance, the role of Website Management Coordinator aligns perfectly. I view this opportunity as a means of personal growth while actively supporting AwFA’s mission.”

Director, Dr Dinesh Kaippilly reported on the success of the AwFA booth at the Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies (KUFOS) International Fisheries Congress and Expo held 12-14 January 2024 in association with their Alumni Association. The board particularly thanked Ms. Geeji Madathil Tharanath from SOL Consult n Connect for their great assistance with the booth and for donating prizes for the ‘Optimism in Aquaculture’ contest which were judged by board members, Dr’s Christine Crawford, and Janine Pierce. 

A competitive contest won by a KUFOS student, Azif S, with “Aquaculture’s sustainable practices meet seafood demand, reduce overfishing, protect ecosystems, and enhance food security through technology and innovation, fostering optimism for its future impact.” Fine words and well done everyone! 

We will be reporting very soon on the Torrens University capstone Quiz and Raffle, where all proceeds are going to South Pacific Community Fresh Water Prawn Hatchery project and the Photo Competition which is being organised with Aqua Farm 2024 Conference and Expo (www.aquacultureconference.com.au). 

For background on our strictly volunteer charity organisation please visit our website www.aquaculturewithoutfrontiers.org which has all the information about our history, projects and who is on our Boards. AwF has established organisations in Australia (Charity ABN 32602696631), UK (Charity) and Mexico (NGO), but the original organisation is exempt from State and Federal taxes as a US501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in California #2671553.

We run networks on social media – School/Students; Women/Gender; Global Indigenous; Aquaponics; Aquarium Fish, Latin America and recently Small Island Development States.


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AQUACULTURE FARMERS RECOGNISED

Category:Updates

27 February 2024

Katherine Hawes, chairperson of the Association of International Seafood Professionals (AISP) which has allied with Prism Scientific Services Ltd (PSS) to create the Aqua Farm 2024 Conference and Expo, has made a bold statement to ensure that more farmers can take advantage of the event.  

“The more we communicate with our farmers and their staff the more we hear of their issues of life getting harder rather than easier. Cost of production increases are biting, assistance from governments negligible and buyers are constantly communicating about the need for cheaper products. As a result, as much as they can see the value in our event at SeaWorld, Gold Coast, from May 14 to May 17, 2024, they are reluctant to commit to themselves or staff attending,” said Katherine.

“AISP has discussed this in detail internally and with our partners PSS and has funded a new arrangement for all aquaculture farming organisations who employ 20 people or less. This will be $290 for 3 days or a daily fee of $150. For this each delegate will be able to engage with the speakers, workshops, round tables and the expo and cover morning/afternoon teas and lunch. These charges are well below cost, but AISP will cover the differences in our arrangements with PSS.” Katherine added.

The logistics of this are if you meet the criteria of being an aquaculture farming operation employing less than 20 people then you need to send an email to seafoodsdg@outlook.com with a Subject Heading – AF24 FARMER stating:

 ‘Our organisation meets the criteria of employing 20 people or less.

The names of the people attending AF24 are (list the names)

We farm (name the species)

Organisation name, address, telephone number

Name of person responsible at Organisation’

Upon approval you will be sent a special code which will enable you to take advantage of this recognition when booking through the normal registration website www.aquacultureconference.com.au .  

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing global primary industry, and Australia has the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), so Australia’s potential future opportunities should be bright. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), forecasts aquaculture will produce sixty-four percent of Australia’s seafood by 2027. Yet, in global terms, Australia makes less than one percent of global aquaculture and Australia is currently reliant on imported product to meet the demand. The aquaculture industry in Australia does not have a regular ‘standalone’ event/conference and AISP/PSS believe by bringing people together we can change the world.


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International Fisheries Congress and Expo at KUFOS

Category:Updates

Dr. Pradeepkumar T, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies (KUFOS), personally invites you to the International Fisheries Congress and Expo at KUFOS campus on Jan 12-14, 2024. Proudly organized by KUFOS and COFPAA, with Fresh to Home as the title sponsor. An exciting event offering a ‘sea of knowledge.’

Get a feeling for the event here – https://youtu.be/gukm6jC8sYY?si=tId32gCmGIzf3qR7

KUFOS expects at least 500 delegates for the event with more than ten overseas speakers physically and a dozen virtually. Many thousands, mainly school children and farmers, will visit the exhibition.

Visit the official website at www.ifcexpo2024.com

See Dr. Pradeepkumar T, Vice Chancellor speak about the conference here – https://www.facebook.com/ifcexpo2024/videos/695827139036816/

AwF wishes all the success to its MoU partner in the event noting that two Directors of AwF, Antonio Garza de Yta and Dinesh Kaippilly will be engaged and they will look forward to meeting you there.


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AwF playing role in UN FAO Technical Working Group

Category:Updates

Three of AwF Board members – Meryl Williams (Australia), Citlali Gomez Lepe (Latin America) and Roy Palmer (USA) – are participating in the Technical Working Group (TWG) for UN FAO on Social Responsibility for Aquaculture Production.
UN FAO Members have given FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division a specific mandate to promote social sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture value chains, including the recognition and protection of human and labour rights.
To fulfil this mandate, the TWG is assisting FAO developing a guidance to promote and facilitate social responsibility compliance by business actors along the fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
The proposed FAO Guidance entails the entire value chains, which is divided into six sections: (1) Industrial Fishing; (2) Small-Scale Fishing; (3) Aquaculture Production; (4) Processing; (5) Distribution; and (6) Retailing. The FAO Guidance targets the industry; however, it can be also a valuable reference instrument for policymakers, RFMOs and civil society.

During 2022 and 2023, FAO developed the Industrial Fishing section through an inclusive consultation process involving various stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
FAO will now initiate the process of developing the Aquaculture Production section. For this, FAO has organised a TWG for consultations with other experts worldwide and UN agencies as a first step to present and discuss the scope of this section.

We are all aware that social responsibility is a complex and intricate issue – collaborative and inclusive work can indeed yield positive outcomes for all of us engaged in any sector-related activity.

https://www.fao.org/3/cc1513t/cc1513t.pdf


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Short food supply chains and its role in connecting small-scale farmers with consumers.

Category:Updates

Connecting small-scale farmers to the public plate makes sense for a number of reasons: food is fresh and seasonal; it doesn’t have to travel far, and buying from local farmers supports the local economy. Choosing sustainable local food not only benefits the environment, but also has health benefits for everyone: from children at school to the elderly in their care homes.

COACH, a Horizon 2020 project aimed at strengthening collaborative agri-food chains. At the training in Copenhagen that brought together small-scale farmers, public food procurers and policymakers.

https://ypard.net/resources/blog/short-food-supply-chains-and-its-role-in-connecting-small-scale-farmers-with-consumers


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Empowering Women in African Fisheries: A Blueprint for Sustainable Development

Category:Updates

In Africa, women play a crucial role in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sectors, contributing significantly to value chains from canoes to markets. Despite representing 50% of the inland fisheries workforce in West Africa and marketing 80% of all fish products, women face challenges due to traditional beliefs and gender-based constraints. Organized in groups, associations, or cooperatives, women prove to be more efficient in fishing activities, providing opportunities to increase income and improve working conditions.

https://www.au-ibar.org/au-ibar-news/empowering-women-african-fisheries-blueprint-sustainable-development


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AwF has pledged support to the Shanghai Declaration on Aquaculture for Food and Sustainable Development

Category:Updates

AwF has pledged support to the Shanghai Declaration on Aquaculture for Food and Sustainable Development – see https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb9365en/

This was done at the FAO-UN  Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium +20 AQUACULTURE FOR FOOD AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Shanghai, China, 22–25 September 2021


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Raffle for prawn project (Deadline Sunday 10th Dec 2023 2pm AEDT)

Category:Updates

Assist AwF in supporting a fresh water prawn project organised by South Pacific Community in Fiji so even if you dont want the prizes the students have organised you can make a donation to a great cause.

Following the successful running of the  ‘Tipping the Scales’ Quiz Night run by Students at Torrens University on behalf of AwF Australia we are pleased to announce that the Raffle will remain open.    

SO IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR TICKETS AND WIN SOME OF THE FABULOUS PRIZES ON OFFER

Raffle Tickets – Get your tickets online https://events.humanitix.com/tipping-the-scales-raffle-tickets  

This will be drawn at 5:00pm on Sunday 10th December 2023 AEDT

Please share and lets get behind the great work of the students at Torrens University.

THANK YOU for your help and a BIG thank you to the organisations/people who donated the prizes


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AwF mourn passing of inspirational Patron

Category:Updates
2011, Dr Meryl Williams (AwF) visiting  MS Swaminathan in Chennai, along with Dr B. Shanti
2011, Dr Meryl Williams (AwF) visiting MS Swaminathan in Chennai, along with Dr B. Shanti

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