Advancing the Aquaculture Agenda

Policies to Ensure a Sustainable Aquaculture Sector

Paris, 15-16 April 2010

with the support of the Government of France

The main objective of the workshop is to provide a platform for policy makers, technical experts, international organisations, the private sector and NGOs to examine policy challenges that OECD governments face in aquaculture development. The event will inform policy makers, in particular in OECD countries, about critical economic, environmental and social aspects of the aquaculture sector as well as analyse interactions with other sectors.

The specific objectives of the workshop are:

• To provide participants with information about the ‘state of the art’ and the trends in aquaculture;

• To encourage mutual learning by sharing best practices and experiences in aquaculture management and development (including inter-sectoral aspects);

• To identify key areas for improving the business environment for aquaculture – including perspectives from the private sector and from international organizations/NGOs;

• To understand the opportunities and challenges of aquaculture for OECD countries with regard to policy coherence for development; and

• To outline innovative pathways for sustainable aquaculture for OECD countries.

The workshop is organized in four sessions:

Session 1 - Overview of the latest developments in aquaculture provides participants with a snapshot of the latest ‘state of the art’ in aquaculture. The session will explain the contribution of aquaculture to world fisheries supplies and food security, highlight technical developments and address industry trends (consumption, processing, marketing).

Session 2 - Best practices in aquaculture management and development identifies, on the basis of specific country case studies and the inventory of  conditions in OECD Member countries on aquaculture production, best practices around three specific topics which subsequently can provide input into domestic policy formulation. The three key topics are (i) governance, (ii) dealing with the environmental externalities caused by aquaculture and (iii) dealing with externalities that impact on aquaculture production. All three topics address economic, environmental and social interactions within and beyond the aquaculture sector.

Session 3 - Enhancing economic conditions for aquaculture analyzes factors that affect the business environment for aquaculture production. It looks into areas of action for the different players involved in the aquaculture sector: (i) public authorities and (ii) the private sector. In addition, it considers (iii) cross-cutting issues with an international dimension.

Session 4 – Lessons for policy makers: What future for aquaculture? draws from the discussions and the identification of best practices. The session addresses the question of how to develop national and international policy strategies for aquaculture development and identifies specific potential areas of work for the OECD COFI.

Registration, which is open to the public, is required. OECD Delegates should register through the Organisation’s EMS system. Registration is subject to confirmation and availability of space. Information about the registration process will be posted soon.