Why is a national aquaculture conference needed?
"It is important to bring together industry, researchers, policymakers and authorities to create a shared understanding of aquaculture and to learn from each other across the entire value chain. As researchers, we gain direct insight into the challenges and questions faced by the industry, which we can then address in our research," said Lisa Jönsson Bergman, Professor at the University of Gothenburg and researcher at Swemarc – National Centre for Marine Aquaculture Research and Blue Food - Centre for Future Seafood.
"This is an industry that is still too small and needs to grow. Swedish farmed fish is fantastic, but to expand and succeed we need to learn from each other, see what others are doing and find ways to collaborate," said Joel Oresten, CEO of Smögenlax and Renahav, and a partner within Blue Food.
"The conference is needed because aquaculture is still not very well established in Sweden. We are still relatively new at this level. When it comes to large-scale production, technology and regulations, we are not quite there yet. That is why knowledge exchange and capacity building are essential and not least opportunities for industry, researchers and authorities to meet," said Ellen Schagerström, researcher at Swemarc,National Centre for Marine Aquaculture Research.
What did you appreciate most about the conference?
"The diversity, and seeing the passion among those working in aquaculture, I think that is fantastic," said Lisa Jönsson Bergman.
"Talking to people and hearing what they are doing, thinking and where they are heading. The sum of all these individual directions ultimately shapes the direction of the industry. Everyone is here, and you get a sense of both the people and the sector as a whole in one place," said Joel Oresten.
"It’s so enjoyable to meet everyone in the sector. You might only see each other every other year and catch up on what people are doing now. And you always meet someone new working on something really exciting," said Ellen Schagerström.
What do you take away from the conference?
"How persistent so many people are in working to strengthen the sector and bring more fish to people’s plates. That’s something I take with me, and it gives me energy to continue my research," said Lisa Jönsson Bergman.
"I take with me a sense of direction and where we are heading as a country. We need to achieve growth, we need both many small actors and a few larger ones. We eat too little seafood, and the share of Swedish-produced seafood is far too small. That needs to increase," said Joel Oresten.
"I thought there were very strong representatives from the authorities this time. I especially appreciated the discussion about the need for authorities to be courageous, to dare to make decisions. We haven’t talked much about responsibility yet, but the willingness to make decisions is crucial. It feels like the right people are now in the right positions within the authorities, so that things can actually start to happen," said Ellen Schagerström.
