Middle East Urged to Embrace Blue Bio-Economy, Reap Benefits From Renewable Marine Resources
Fish farming is the fastest expanding field of global food production, predicted to produce almost 2 thirds of global food fish supplied by 2030, but in order to deal with need the Middle East must adopt innovative techniques currently and accept Blue Bio-Economy.
That is the message that has been provided to numerous ranch owners, government officials, and international and regional agricultural scientists at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), which concludes today (21 March) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The panel discussion on the Blue Bio-Economy in the GCC was moderated by Haydar H. Al Sahtout, Arabian Shrimp Co., Chairman of the Fisheries Strategic Development Plan Guiding Board, Saudi Arabia and Former CEO of Saudi Fisheries Co
Eng. Ahmad R. Al Ballaa, CEO of the National Aquaculture Group, Chairman of the Saudi Tank farming Society and Board Member of the National Fisheries Growth Program in Saudi Arabia offered a compelling session on the fairly new principle of heaven Bio-Economy and its influence for the region's fishing practices.
" In order for the aquaculture industry to fulfill the future demand of fish, different innovations should be taken into consideration. It is vital that we take a commercial, completely incorporated, innovative and sustainable technique which includes the entire components of the worth chain: pre society phase, culture stage, blog post society phase and cross functional stages," said Eng. Ahmad R. Al Ballaa.
The concept of the Blue Economic situation was conceived at the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Advancement, extensively covering all financial activities that directly or indirectly occur in the ocean, utilize outputs from the ocean and put products and services right into ocean activities.
Subsequently, the Blue Bio-Economy focuses on the potential benefits from utilizing under-utilised, renewable, plentiful organic marine sources and is promptly acquiring significance around the world. With 72% of the earth's surface area covered by water, 50% of the world's populace living within 60km of the sea and 75% of all big cities located on shores, the value of aquaculture farming is indisputed.
Her Excellency Eng. Mariam Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mheiri, Assistant Undersecretary, Environmental Matters & Nature Preservation at the Ministry of Climate Adjustment and Setting, participated in the panel session and said: "Aquaculture in the MENA region is rather new and underdeveloped in the majority of countries. Current studies have actually reported that expanding populaces, geographical advantages, economic sector investments and government support are significant chauffeurs of aquaculture performance in the region.
" The UAE has been taking aggressive measures to address overfishing and security of the aquatic atmosphere via plans, regulations and policies along with financial investments in research and development.
" Several UAE-based study entities carry out study and studies focused on fisheries. The Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research Center aims to establish both the fisheries and aquaculture markets in the UAE to make sure food safety and promote food diversification and lasting local production.
" Most notably, an ambitious and detailed UAE Sustainable Fisheries Program was introduced in 2016 in collaboration with the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, consisting of several tasks on study, data administration, fisheries monitoring and enforcement, with the total purpose to advertise sustainable fisheries in the UAE. Likewise, recognizing the significance of the health of the marine and seaside environment, the UAE introduced the National Marine and Coastal Atmosphere Checking Program in 2016," Al Mheiri included.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Matters and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the GFIA meeting includes speakers from around the world dealing with 5 key difficulties: climate-resilient plants; expanding the tank farming industry; future-proofing pet health; smallholder farmer advancement; and lasting animal production.
The much anticipated two-day event, which has actually brought in hundreds of participants from worldwide, works as a worldwide platform for a debate over global food protection and water shortage - two major concerns the world faces today.
The 4th version of GFIA showcased an exhibit organizing some 250 companies, and an Innovations Programme, showcasing a series of 15-minute talks from firms who think they have a next-generation service that might form the future of farming around the globe. More information can be located at www.InnovationsInAgriculture.com.
Caption: The Blue Biography Economy panelists at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture.
