HK Summit: The many polarities in seafood 

How the global seafood industry can balance opposing points of view is the primary focus of the keynote speech at the 10th Annual International Seafood Summit in Hong Kong, 6 to 8 September.

Stephen Hall, director general of the World Fish Center in Penang, Malaysia, is the meeting’s opening ceremonies keynote speaker on 6 September. The WorldFish Center is an institution dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture in developing countries.

Hall will discuss the many dichotomies that exist in the seafood system.

“There are very many polarities in the fish food system, and they have to be balanced against one another; I don’t think we are always balancing them,” Hall said.

For example, the wild and farmed fish industries are often at opposite ends of the spectrum. “We tend to think about one or the other: There is a lot of talk about wild vs. farmed fish. There is a lot more about how the trade between these sources of supply that can be discussed,” Hall said.

Hall will also speak about ocean fisheries vs. freshwater fisheries.

“If you just take a partial view about oceans, you are missing a key piece of the problem. As soon as you start talking about ocean fisheries, you have to start thinking about freshwater too,” said Hall.

Coming to terms with the differences and similarities in the various fishing systems will lead to future success of the seafood sector, according to Hall. “As we think about how we are going to deliver sustainable fish supplies to those who both need and demand it, there are a lot of quality conversations to be had to make sure that system responds well,” Hall said.

Hall will also discuss how technological advances like traceability will affect the future of the overall seafood system.

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