Bangkok--11 Feb--Asian Institute of Technology
With burgeoning food demand and increasing population, sustainability, affordability and availability are the keywords in the food sector. Ensuring these is the need of the hour, particularly in the field of aquaculture. This was theme that set the tone for two workshops organized by the Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) field of study at AIT's School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD).
These two aquaculture workshops on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Aquaponics, and Smart Shrimp Aquaculture, held in January once again highlighted the leading role played by the Institute in introducing smart aquaculture technologies for the region.
At the RAS and Aquaponics workshop organized from 15-19 January 2016, participants came from seven countries — Abu Dhabi, Canada, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Introducing the concept, AIT's Dr. K. R. Salin stated that RAS offers the advantages of reduced use of water and land area, better manoeuvrability of culture conditions, and greater efficiency in the use of natural resources, while Aquaponics works a step ahead, offering to integrate recirculating aquaculture with plant production systems.
Expert resource persons included Dr. James Ebeling, author of the well-known 'Yellow Book' on Recirculating Aquaculture System Design; Dr. Wilson Lennard from Australia; Prof. C. Kwei Lin, formerly of AIT; and Dr. Vorathep Muthuwan, an AIT alumnus. Dr. Rajendra Shrestha, Dean, SERD, and Dr. Amararatne Yakupitiyage, Visiting Associate Professor at AIT welcomed the delegates.
The workshop on Smart Shrimp Aquaculture for the Asia Pacific region, which was attended by 150 participants from 15 countries was held from 20-22 January 2016. Organized by AIT along with the Asian Pacific Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, and Can Tho University, Vietnam, it was sponsored by Blue Aqua International Ltd., Bangkok, and INVE, Thailand, and attracted 150 participants from 15 countries. Prominent speakers included Dr. Claude E. Boyd, Auburn University, U.S.A; Dr. Albert G.J. Tacon, Aquatic Farms Ltd., Hawaii, U.S.A; Dr. Chalor Limsuwan, Kasetsart University, Thailand; Dr. Kallaya Sritunyalucksana, Centex Shrimp, Mahidol University, Thailand; Dr. Olivier Decamp, INVE Aquaculture, Thailand; and Dr. Farshad Shishehchian, President, WAS-Asia Pacific Chapter, Thailand.
Photo caption: Inaugural ceremony of the Workshop on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Aquaponics.