The annual conference takes place on 19-20 May 2015 at the Fishmonger’s Hall in London, and Director of the Association David Jarrad has reported a near sell-out in the final run-up to the event.
“We are thrilled with the level of bookings for our 46th annual event and have just a few places left for the conference and black tie dinner.
“Anyone still thinking of attending should get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment,” he said.
Key speakers at the event include Mike Mitchell, Technical & CSR Director of Young’s Seafood Ltd and Professor Ian Boyd, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.
Another highlight of the conference will be a presentation from Dr David Fletcher from RAS Aquaculture Research (RASAR), on the viability of commercially culturing the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas.
His presentation will look at the work being undertaken to develop hatchery culture technology for this species, with a view to supporting future diversification of coastal aquaculture and restoring UK stocks.
Dr Fletcher explained: “We have made good progress in all areas, but need to ensure that commercial scale operations will be viable, so the challenge for the 2015 larval season is to try to develop an artificial feed, and also to optimise water quality.”
Another important speaker will be Sandy McFarlane from Coastal Resource Specialists, explaining how community volunteers in the US are taking part in shellfish ‘gardening’ projects to provide increased local oyster stocks.
“This type of collaboration is really growing in popularity in the USA, and oyster projects also have the secondary benefit of helping to control coastal erosion.
“Some are even used to mitigate impaired water quality, because oysters are natural filter feeders,” she said. The conference talk offers the opportunity to expand the project in the UK
The conference aims to offer something of interest to all sectors of the shellfish industry, and lively debate is expected during the question and answer sessions.
