Members of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) at the meeting in Istanbul.
Photo: FEAP.
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Istanbul on May 23rd and 24th, drawing over fifty delegates from 18 countries. The event was co-organized with the Aegean Exporters’ Union, Mediterranean Exporters’ Union, and Istanbul Exporters' Association, making it a significant gathering for the European aquaculture community.
The AGM featured in-depth discussions on various topics, including species-specific challenges, EU policy developments, and the future of fish farming in Europe.
FEAP President Lara Barazi Geroulanou and Turgay Turkyilmaz, Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock, delivered key addresses on the critical role of aquaculture in Europe’s food security and the industry's potential for sustainable growth and job creation.
FEAP president Lara Barazi Geroulanou, with 2024 award-winner Paul Birger Torgnes (centre) and Marco Gilmozzi, pictured at the FEAP AGM in Instanbul.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2024 FEAP Award, which honours outstanding contributions to European aquaculture.
This year's recipient, Paul Birger Torgnes, has been a pivotal figure in the industry since the early 1980s. His extensive work in salmon farming across Norway, Chile, the UK, and other countries, along with his involvement in farming sea bass and sea bream in Turkey, has made significant impacts on the sector, FEAP said.
Torgnes' career includes notable positions such as General Secretary of The Norwegian Fish Farmers Association, Vice President of FEAP, and President of The International Salmon Farmers Association (ISFA).
"He is still active in his family-owned company, producing salmon in Norway, and has also been involved in farming of other species, such as Sea bass and Sea bream in Turkey," FEAP said in a press release.
"With a broad experience and involvement in commercial activities in many European countries, he dedicated sincere interest to promoting and securing the interests for aquaculture in the Norwegian, European and Global aquaculture businesses for many years," the organisation added.
FEAP, based in Brussels, represents 24 national fish farming associations from 23 countries, both within and outside the EU. Collectively, its members produce over 2.5 million tonnes of fish annually, emphasizing nutritious, safe, and environmentally sustainable practices.