April in aquaculture: our events round-up

April 2024 is bustling with seafood and ocean-related events globally, covering a wide variety of industry themes and priorities - not least among these sustainability, innovation, and community engagement.

Kicking off on 10 April with the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, and following a clutch of other ocean-focused events during mid-April, the month's agenda saves the biggest for last: the Seafood Global Expo, the world's largest and arguably most important seafood trade event, also taking place in Barcelona, from 23-25 April at the Fira exhibition centre.

The 2024 Ocean Decade Conference focuses on ‘delivering the science we need for the ocean we want’. Hosted by the Government of Spain in Barcelona from 10 – 12 April 2024, the gathering will bring together the global Ocean Decade community and partners to celebrate and take stock of progress, and set joint priorities for the future. An important milestone on the path to 2030, the event will cover the full range of Ocean Decade Challenges including critical issues such as climate change, food security, sustainable management of biodiversity, sustainable ocean economy, pollution, and natural hazards.

Over three days, the conference will create a new foundation to strengthen the sustainable management of the ocean and drive science-based innovation, from global to local, leaving no one behind. In the lead up to the Conference, partners will also have the opportunity to complement the official Conference programme through Satellite Events.

For more information, visit the conference website.

One Ocean Week in Bergen focuses on the challenges and opportunities facing the oceans. It includes a series of discussions, workshops, and presentations from marine experts, environmentalists, and business leaders aimed at promoting sustainable ocean governance and marine conservation. The aim of the day is to promote knowledge and international cooperation in line with the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

The event will be attended by the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, as well as Fisheries and Oceans Minister, Cecilie Myrseth. The event will also include representatives from research, industry, civil society and youth.

Physical participation at the One Ocean Summit is by invitation only. The meeting will be streamed via the City of Bergen's YouTube channel.

PYM Impact Days in Amsterdam gathers impact investors, entrepreneurs, and sustainability advocates to explore innovative solutions for the planet's pressing issues, including sustainable seafood and marine conservation. This event emphasizes investment in sustainable practices across various sectors, including the seafood industry.

The OCEANS 2024 Singapore conference, organized by The Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, is a key event for marine technology, research, and education. It provides a platform for innovators, analysts, and producers to connect, share insights, and explore the latest developments in the field.

The conference attracts industry members, academia, government representatives, professionals in science and engineering, students, businesses, institutions, policymakers, and administrators.

Attendees can expect to engage in discussions on a wide range of topics, including research and development, operations in various bodies of water, electrotechnology, mechatronics, professional standards, and environmental monitoring and remediation solutions. This event is an opportunity for continuous learning and networking with the best suppliers of marine and maritime products showcased in the exhibit hall.

Our Ocean in Athens is an international conference aimed at generating commitments and taking action to maintain the sustainability of our oceans. It covers key issues such as marine pollution, climate change-related impacts on the ocean, sustainable fisheries, and marine conservation, with participants from governments, international organizations, and civil society.

By hosting the 9th Our Ocean Conference Greece reaffirms its commitment to transition to a “Blue economy” to harness the advantages of a new balance between economic development (growth), social cohesion, and sustainability as well as addressing some key challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, unsustainable fishing, marine pollution especially from plastics, and unsustainable maritime transport.

Seafood Expo Global, the world's largest seafood trade event, returns to Barcelona, 23-25 April, 2024, attracting buyers and suppliers from over 150 countries.

The expo showcases the latest seafood products, equipment, and services, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and insights into global seafood trends and innovations.

The 2024 conference program will feature more than 20 educational sessions, presented by top seafood industry experts. Attendees will take away informative, engaging and practical information covering the most important and timely issues relevant to today’s seafood business environment.

WeAreAquaculture will be also be there - watch this space!