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EAS—a platform for exchanging information and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices
A science-based approach is key for the future of the aquaculture sector Bente Torstensen joined the board of directors of the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) in 2018 becoming its president in 2022, a position she will keep till the end of 2024. Ms Torstensen’s background is in nutrition research in which she earned a PhD from the University of Bergen and the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (Nifes) in 2000. Over the next 16 years she worked as a scientist, as research director for human nutrition, and as research director for fish nutrition at Nifes. Ms Torstensen was also appointed MOWI’s (those days Marine Harvest) Global R&D department’s team leader for fish feed and performance. She started as a director of the Aquaculture Department of the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (Nofima) in 2017 and in June 2023 became Nofima’s CEO. Bente Torstensen discusses here EAS’s role in consolidating the efforts of different players in the aquaculture sector to speed up its growth and sustainable development. The European Aquaculture Society (EAS) is a non-profit international organization that aims to promote and develop European aquaculture in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. How is the EAS structured, and who are the members of the organisation? Are there any selection criteria for a membership and what are the benefits of being a member? EAS is a member organisation with a whole range of membership opportunities. Students are offered free memberships to encourage their participation in the society, conferences, and development of the future of EAS. All colleagues within aquaculture can become members of EAS, that means from industry, universities, research institutes, NGOs, government employees, etc. We also offer companies to be corporate members with special benefits related to trade shows and participation at the annual EAS events. Research organisations can have institutional membership with relevant benefits. I really encourage everybody to visit our web pages for more details on what we offer for the different
membership alternatives. And of course: all members pay a significantly lower participation fee for the annual Aqua events! For all who come to our Aqua events: there’s no reason whatsoever NOT to become a member of our society! Aquaculture Europe is among the biggest sectorial conferences of its kind in Europe which brings together stakeholders from science, industry, NGOs, and many others. In 2023, the event was successfully organised in Vienna with the theme “Balanced Diversity in Aquaculture Development”. How do you see the overall results of the event, has it brought any tangible results and what was the main idea behind this theme? The theme “Balanced Diversity in Aquaculture Development” surely highlights the potential for the aquaculture sector, already representing the world’s most diverse farming practices, to further grow sustainability by utilising the opportunities that lie in diversity. What makes EAS annual events unique is the coming together
Bente Torstensen, President, European Aquaculture Society
of scientists, industry leaders and entrepreneurs, governmental bodies, and regulators from across Europe all sharing the same passion for aquaculture. This year’s theme of diversification was reflected in the 32 scientific sessions over 3 days ranging from genomics to socioeconomics, covering the full scope of European aquaculture scientific disciplines and species. We gathered close to 2,000 attendees, more than 540 oral presentations, an international trade exhibition
with close to 170 booths, student sessions and activities, satellite workshops, and updates on EU research. In addition, two special events took place: the AE2023 Industry Forum and AE23 Innovation Forum. The value from this comprehensive knowledgesharing and networking obviously creates value for the European aquaculture sector as a whole. Do you think that research properly covers all the areas currently important for fish production
EUROFISH Magazine 6 / 2023
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