Aquaculture Magazine reports:
It will be led by senior lawyer Katherine Hawes (also known as The Fish Lawyer) of Aquarius Lawyers
The organizers of Aqua Farm 2024 -the Global International Conference on Aquaculture that will be held in the Sea World Resort, Gold Coast, Australia, from 14 to 17 May- have announced the second of its workshops approved for the new edition of the event: “Unlocking Sustainable Aquaculture: A Workshop on Governance for Professionals and Farmers”.
This workshop will be focused on enhancing governance in aquaculture to pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future, they explained, and explore the importance of regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, and industry standards in shaping responsible practices. The sponsor will be Aquarius Lawyers, a specialized law firm that focuses on the marine, aquaculture, and fisheries industry.
Led by Principal Solicitor and Barrister Katherine Hawes, aka The Fish Lawyer, participants will gain insights into governance structures and their impact on environmental stewardship, market competitiveness, and profitability. “Don’t miss this opportunity to network with industry professionals and drive positive change,” said the organization.
In their words: “Besides getting two hours with Principal Solicitor and Barrister, Katherine Hawes (aka The Fish Lawyer), you will gain valuable insights into the five main governance structures that underpin the aquaculture industry. You will learn how responsible governance practices can lead to improved environmental stewardship, enhanced market competitiveness, and long-term profitability. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to network with fellow professionals and exchange ideas for driving positive change in the industry.”
A crucial aspect
The importance of the workshop has to do with the fact that governance forms the backbone of any sustainable industry, and aquaculture is no exception. It encompasses the rules, regulations, policies, and decision-making processes that guide how aquaculture operations are conducted. Effective governance is crucial for ensuring environmental sustainability, economic viability, and social responsibility within the industry.
And governance in aquaculture refers to the mechanisms put in place to manage and regulate the various aspects of fish and seafood farming and everything along the supply chain. Everything from environmental management and resource allocation to stakeholder engagement and compliance with industry standards. “In essence, governance sets the framework for responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices,” said the organization.
Understanding the fundamentals
The key workshop topics will be understanding the fundamentals of aquaculture governance; exploring the importance of regulatory compliance and industry standards; examining the role of stakeholders in shaping governance processes; identifying strategies for promoting sustainability and ethical practices and discussing real-world challenges and opportunities in aquaculture governance.
Useful information
For the organization, this is an opportunity to engage in this area that the industry associations and the public don’t want to miss: The aquaculture sector now produces more seafood than capture fisheries globally, and near-equal amounts of food in tons as eggs and pulses globally. However, the amount of governance and management literature on aquaculture compared with those other sectors is far behind but it is catching up fast.
The Principal Solicitor and Barrister, Katherine Hawes (aka The Fish Lawyer), will be the protagonist and will bring valuable insights into the five main governance structures that underpin the aquaculture industry. “You will learn how responsible governance practices can lead to improved environmental stewardship, enhanced market competitiveness, and long-term profitability,” they said.
“Seize this opportunity to deepen your understanding of aquaculture governance and become a catalyst for sustainable growth in the industry. Ignorance is no longer a defense so register now to secure your spot at the workshop and join us in shaping a brighter future for aquaculture,” they finished.
Increasing seafood consumption
The second event of the series will take place at the exciting Sea World Resort, Gold Coast, Australia. According to them, the goal of the Aqua Farm Conference 2024 is “increasing seafood consumption through aquaculture development using an environmental, social, governance and health framework”. Aqua Farm 2024 has been curated to shed light on the aquaculture industry in Australia and worldwide. The aims are to foster collaboration among aquaculture farmers and innovative aquaculture industries with academia and government.
The Conference is designed to offer actionable insights, expert guidance, peer networking, and solution provider assessments. The experience promises to be unforgettable and transformative, enabling you and your organization to achieve enhanced performance in your critical priorities.
Among other things, the conference will also offer the opportunity as a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss the latest innovations, trends, concerns, as well as practical challenges encountered and adopted solutions in the fields of aquaculture technology.
