Hatchery technologies

January 16^th-17^th 2004

profet-fr@feap.info

The third Workshop of the PROFET initiative was held at the Cité Mondiale du Vin (Bordeaux -France) on the 16th and 17th of January 2004 and was coordinated by the French Federation of Aquaculture (FFA), the Interprofessional Committee of Aquaculture Products (CIPA) and the FEAP .

The theme of the Workshop is “Hatchery Technologies” where the state of play of both marine and freshwater hatcheries was presented and discussed, looked specifically at the opportunities and issues that affect this important sectoral contributor for European fish farming.

Many distinguished and experienced players from the European aquaculture sector (producers, scientists and administrators) made short presentations and participated in the debates. These presentations can be viewed on the Programme page (see right hand pane).
The conference chairman was Mr Frédéric Cachelou, President of the French Federation of Aquaculture, and the vice-chairman and rapporteur was Dr. Sachi Kaushik, Director of Research of the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA).

The Workshop was opened by Mr. Hugues Martin, European Parliamentarian and Rapporteur on 'Aquaculture in the European Union: Present and Future' (2002) to the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee.

Simultaneous translation in English and French was provided.

The Workshop was divided into 6 separate sessions, covering the following issues:

Opportunities for the development of European Aquaculture

This session was devoted to elaborating the current position of aquaculture in Europe, where representatives from the European Commission (DG FISH) presented the actions taken for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture and the possibilities for RTD actions within the 6th Framework Programme. In addition, presentations on Networking within the sector and the possibilities for Training were also made.

Market Issues affecting Marine and Freshwater Hatcheries

The current state of play for marine and salmonid hatcheries was presented, with an additional focus on issues affecting the restocking activity. The approach to developments concerning new species was examined from the points of view of the economist, the producer and the researcher.

Production issues

Key issues presented and debated included:

• comparing production costs for different hatcheries
• implications of R&D Strategies 
• live feeds and substitute feeds
• addressing malformations from the genetic and nutritional approaches
• automation and mechanisation

These issues are of prime importance to the hatchery profession and include the role of the aquaculture industry in assuring successful R&D strategies.

Assuring high health standards in hatcheries

A range of subjects were addressed, including the quality of live food and the transmission of diseases within hatchery operations. The development and application of control methods and how water quality can be maintained and controlled were presented and debated.

Genetics

The application of genetics to improving the quality of farmed fish starts in the hatchery and presentations were made on the methods of genetics improvement, the shortcomings and priorities identified. The development of pathogen resistance through genetic improvement was also discussed.

Professional aquaculture has changed considerably in the last 10 years, reflecting technological advances, market disturbance, increased legislation and changes in consumer perceptions and behaviour. Discussion was made on structural changes and the anticipated developments of the sector.

The conclusions of the Workshop will be developed in the final round-table session and these will be used to formulate the recommendations by the Workshop for RTD policy on hatchery developments in the future.

The presentations and conclusions of the Workshop will be copied to all Workshop participants.

The PROFET Workshop on “Hatchery Technologies” was achieved with financial support from the European Commission.

The organisers wish to thank the following sponsors for their support for the realisation of this workshop (more information):