Partnership hopes after Chinese conferences
Future collaborations between academics and students in the South West and China could be on the cards after two major conferences in the Far East.
Professor Simon Davies, Chair in Aquaculture Nutrition at Plymouth University and one of the world’s leading aquaculture experts, was among the keynote speakers and session chair at Aquatic China 2014, attended by more than 3,000 people in Beijing.
He was also a senior delegate at VIV China, also held in the Chinese capital, which is one of the biggest global gatherings of researchers, suppliers and buyers in the international animal feed industry.
Professor Davies said the two events had confirmed Plymouth University’s status as a global leader in aquaculture and thrown up the possibility of new partnerships. He said: “China contributes around 70% of farmed fish to an industry worth around $130billion, so these two conferences attracted the leading figures in the field worldwide. To be invited to attend is a demonstration of our standing in global aquaculture research, and recognition that the team here in Plymouth is making a difference across the world. This has already been recognised in terms of collaboration with the Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Ocean University of China, Quingdao, Shangdong. But on the back of these conferences, several more students, academics and researchers are keen to engage with us and visit Plymouth University for scientific study.”
Professor Davies has been one of the leading figures in aquaculture since joining Plymouth University almost 30 years ago, and is also the Editor-in-Chief of International Aquafeed, the leading trade magazine for the fish feeding and aquatic animal health sector.
Professor Simon Davies, Chair in Aquaculture Nutrition at Plymouth University and one of the world’s leading aquaculture experts, said: On the back of these conferences, several more students, academics and researchers are keen to engage with us and visit Plymouth University for scientific study
Aquatic China 2014 was held at the Kuntai Hotel in Beijing on September 21 and 22, with VIV China 2014 – which was supported by the Dutch government and attended by companies from China, South East Asia and the USA among others – taking place at the New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC) from September 23-25.
Professor Davies added: “The research we are conducting in Plymouth has examined the potential nutritional requirements and assessment of natural feed ingredients for both freshwater and ocean-reared fish, to ensure their health and wellbeing is maintained as well as keeping quality high. We have previously conducted numerous studies to develop new feeds from natural sources such as yeasts and algae and plant by-products to offset the use of marine derived fish meals and oils in diets for various species of fish and shrimp.
"Plymouth has pioneered probiotics and natural feed additives to reduce and even replace antibiotics and chemotherapeutics in farmed fish. Our work will also ensure the end product we eat can be healthy, safe and sustainable for future generations.”
