Adelaide nets premier international fisheries conference

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston
SA Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Leon Bignell​

Adelaide has won the right to host the World Fisheries Congress (WFC) in 2020, after the Australian and South Australian governments successfully led a joint Australia–New Zealand bid to bring the premier international fisheries conference to the state.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, and South Australian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Leon Bignell, congratulated the Australian-New Zealand bid team and all involved for this achievement.

"Australia is internationally renowned when it comes to its seafood and sustainability. These credentials are backed by world class fisheries science that underpins our management systems," Minister Ruston said.

"The work of fishery managers across the country has led to Australia being recognised as one of the international leaders in fisheries science and management.

"The announcement of the successful bid for the World Fisheries Congress reinforces the proactive approach Australia has taken to develop its reputation internationally – and I am delighted that South Australia now has the chance to show case it."

Minister Bignell said Adelaide was an excellent choice to host the congress and the event was secured through the State Government's Adelaide Convention Bid Fund.

More than 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the congress at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

"Hosting the 2020 World Fisheries Congress is a huge coup for South Australia, and will provide an international stage for Australia-New Zealand to showcase our strength and reputation in fisheries science and management internationally," Minister Bignell said.

"The South Australian seafood industry is a vital part of the state's economy, generating revenue of $876 million.

"The Congress will provide a significant opportunity to promote our South Australian seafood industry and demonstrate the sustainability of our fisheries to the broader community."

Held every four years, the WFC aims to advance and promote international developments and cooperation in fisheries science, conservation and management.

More on the World Fisheries Congress visit http://wcfs.fisheries.org/world-fisheries-congress.

 

Background

The 2020 congress will focus on the challenges of fishing sustainably and maintaining prosperous fishing communities from oceans and rivers whose functional integrity and conservation values are facing increasing pressure.

The event will also examine whether fisheries management practices and sustainability have improved over the past 30 years, what progress has been made since Australia last hosted the event in Brisbane in 1996, and what steps need to be taken in the next 25 years.

The Australian Society for Fish Biology that represents Australia on the World Council of Fisheries Societies put forward Adelaide as the host city for an Australia-New Zealand bid to hold the 8th WFC in 2020.

The bid was led by Primary Industries and Regions SA and the Fisheries Research and Development Cooperation.

Other bid members included the University of Adelaide, Adelaide Convention Bureau, CSIRO, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), the South Australian and New Zealand seafood industries.

The South Korean city of Busan will host the 2016 World Fisheries Congress on 23–27 May.   ​

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