Two-day 6th International Fisheries Symposium & Expo 2017 titled "Innovative and Sustainable Aquaculture for Blue Revolution" arranged by University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore began at a local hotel on Wednesday.
President World Aquaculture Society-Asia Pacific Chapter Dr Endhay Kontara, Chairman Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Professor Dr Anwarul Hassan Gillani, President Pakistan Fishery Society Dr Muhammad Ayub, Dean Faculty of Fisheries & Wildlife Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Organizing Secretary Dr Noor Khan and renowned fisheries & aquaculture experts from 16 countries, including America, Canada, Mexico, UK, Croatia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Belgium, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, etc were present.
The UVAS organized the symposium in collaboration with Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Fisheries Society, Department of Fisheries Punjab and Economic Cooperation Organization.
Livestock Minister Asif Saeed Manains called for increase in fish production by using latest technology. He said that all stakeholders, including UVAS and Pakistan Fisheries Society, should work hard for introduction of new technologies to increase per capita fish consumption and exports. He said that there is great potential for growth in fisheries sector by introducing new technologies.
Minister for Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries Punjab Mian Yawar Zaman spoke about various steps taken by the government for promotion of fisheries sector, including provision of soft loans to fish farmers. He stressed the need for coherent optimal fish farming to increase fish production. He asked symposium participants to come up with viable suggestions for sustainable aquaculture in the country. He also said that although fish farming is a recent phenomenon in our country yet its contribution to national economy is encouraging which needs to be further enhanced. Various sessions on fish feeding, management, fish diseases and health management, fish pond and hatchery management, fish harvesting and post-harvest technology, research planning, data acquisition analysis & interpretation, fish physiology, breeding & genetics and poster competitions will feature the two-day event.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha spoke about the academics, research, development, extension programmes and community services of the university. He said that UVAS is swiftly achieving the milestones of need-based multi-level education and developing talent development institution by using its knowledge, resources and skills for growth of human resources.