The seminar will be held at Dynamic Earth, which will also host the 2019 Aquaculture Awards later in the day.

Looking at aquaculture opportunities beyond Europe

Speakers from Nordea Bank, the Global Aquaculture Alliance and Marks & Spencer will be among those making presentations at a seminar focusing on the opportunities for trade and knowledge exchange between UK aquaculture and the world beyond Europe.

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The Embracing Internationality seminar will be held from 1pm to 5pm at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh on May 29, ahead of that evening’s 2019 Aquaculture Awards presentation dinner.

The free seminar is being presented by aquaculture website The Fish Site, part of Benchmark’s 5m Publishing division.

“Although we don’t yet know the full impact of the UK’s (possible) departure from the EU, our aquaculture sector is increasingly looking for additional opportunities that lie beyond the Continent,” 5m head of publishing Nigel Balmforth said in a press release.

“With over 90% of the world’s aquaculture production, and markets for aquaculture products, situated outside of Europe, a selection of high calibre speakers will offer insights into areas of global relevance to the industry,” he adds.

Clifford Spencer: Engagement with Africa.

World outlook

Confirmed presentations include insights into the world economic outlook for aquaculture from Kolbjørn Giskeødegård, senior seafood analyst at Nordea Bank; a look at aquaculture’s role in securing global food security by Melanie Siggs of the Global Aquaculture Alliance; and a foray into global seafood supply chains by Patrick Blow, aquaculture manager at Marks & Spencer.

Nicki Holmyard, owner and founder of Offshore Shellfish, will take the audience on a whistle-stop tour of global aquaculture production; Dave Little, professor of aquatic resources and development in Stirling University’s Sustainable Aquaculture Group, will provide a run-through of some prime examples of international collaboration and cooperation in the sector; while Clifford Spencer, goodwill ambassador for the African Union - New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and chairman of Aquaculture without Frontiers, will give a presentation about engagement with Africa, a continent which many believe has the potential to become the world’s next aquaculture superpower.

The event is set to include a number of Q&A sessions and the chance to discuss the possible highs and lows of a departure from the EU. Further details are set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Although the event is free spaces are limited, and those wanting to secure a place must do so via Eventbrite.