SAGB CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON KEY ISSUES AFFECTING UK SHELLFISH SECTOR

SAGB conference to focus on key issues affecting UK shellfish sector

The Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) annual conference and dinner (28 to 29 May) promises to be a diverse and interesting event, packed full of insight into some of the major issues and opportunities facing the shellfish sector today, according to chief executive David Jarrad.

He told Fish Focus:  “We have an exciting line up of presenters this year, more than in previous years, all demonstrating the diversity of issues that SAGB engages in. Overseas markets, mortalities, innovative projects and as well as hearing from parliamentarians from the devolved nations. There truly is something for all this year.”

The conference, which will be held at The Crown Estate in London, will be opened by keynote speaker Mark Spencer MP, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (tbc).

One of the highlights on the first day of the conference will be a virtual presentation by Matt Albon-Crouch, Food and Drink Attaché of the British Embassy Viet Nam (Indonesia and Singapore) of the market potential of UK shellfish exports to key markets in the Far East.

David Jarrad said: “ With the challenges faced by many shellfish exporters since Brexit, locating new markets is key. Matt, presenting virtually from Hanoi, we hope will show us possibilities for new trade.”

With the shellfish sector needing to play its role in achieving UK Government Net Zero targets, Stuart McLanaghan, Head of Responsible Sourcing at Seafish will outline the “Emissions Profiling Tool”, which calculates the carbon footprint of seafood capture, harvest and production, enabling informed investment decisions to drive the necessary supply chain transformation towards Net Zero.

Among other topics covered on day one are the “The UK Sustainable King Prawn Project” by Rod Wilson, University of Exeter, and the “Ropes to Reef FISP project” from Llucia Mascorda-Cabre, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Plymouth.

The keynote address on day two will be delivered Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Scottish Government, and among the other presentations will be a talk on “Implementing shellfish fisheries management plans; what’s next; approach & application” from Richard Hoskin of the Marine Management Organisation, Thomas Valderrama of Defra, and Chris Ranford of the Cornish Fish Producers’ Organisation.

One presentation sure to spark much interest and debate will be from Lynne Forman and Linda Wood of the  Nephrops industry coalition, Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability, on “Crustacean Welfare, Onboard automation trials on Nephrops vessels”.

Full details on the conference programme and how to book at: www.shellfish.org.uk