Climate change brings challenges but also opportunities

The 7th edition of this event dedicated to the aquaculture and sustainable fi shing industry will focus on production and marketing challenges that remain even as the pandemic effects recede. Damage to fi sheries and fi sh farms from climate change will be discussed, as well as the opportunities waiting for producers operating in sustainable environmental conditions.

AquaFarm, the Italian international conference and trade show for the aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry, announced the dates of the seventh edition by introducing a new logo which, in addition to the fish, features a mussel as evidence of the ever-widening world of shellfish farming. The event will take place on 14 and 15 February 2024 in Pordenone, Italy.

Climate change: immediate threat and longer-term challenge

After the pandemic crisis, which had a negative impact on the purchase of seafood products, the agri-food sector is beset with other problems. e aggravation of climatic events, rising temperatures and long periods of dry weather are changing the habitats in which aquatic species live, with major impacts on breeding in both marine, brackish, and fresh waters.

During the two days of the event, its participants will focus on sustainabiælity, animal welfare, innovation and technologies, as well as on animal and human welfare.

“ e e ects of climate change and the ecological transition are the new challenges facing our industry,” says Pier Antonio

Salvador, President of the Italian Fish Farmers Association “All operators are ready. It is, as always, a matter of networking and AquaFarm is an unrivalled meeting place.”

Climate change is also one of the causes of the increase in blue crab in the area’s seas, where populations of the invasive shell sh are up by 2,000 in some areas. Damage to shell sh production has been extensive: a decrease of over 50 in Italy’s north-east cost, speci cally in Veneto and Emilia-Romagna areas. “AquaFarm represents an opportunity to highlight the urgency of anticipating the e ects of climate change, states Luigino Pela, President of the Mediterranean Aquaculture Association, an endeavour in which research plays a crucial role.

Sustainability certification and nutrition will be highlighted at the event

e seventh edition of AquaFarm will therefore focus on climate, research and innovation, but also on sustainability certi cation, animal welfare, technologies, as well as animal and human nutrition. e conference, with its comprehensive programme, will be held in rooms anking the international exhibition area, the largest ever thanks to the use of the new Halls 5 BIS / TER launched at the beginning of September. e area dedicated to universities is con rmed as well, including the possibility to exhibit scienti c posters. Finally, the show cooking arena, where renowned delicacies can be tasted, will be placed in Hall 5 again, as during the previous edition.

AquaFarm is one of the events that represent the future of Pordenone Fiere. Its advantages include the internationality, high level of expertise, and a scienti c approach—states Renato Pujatti, President of Pordenone Fiere. Companies attending the exhibition will have an opportunity to grow their businesses and there will be important economic spin-o s for the local area.