1st International Symposium on "Sustainable Aquatic Research"

Sustainability is a topic that is discussed widely by citizens in many countries.  But, what do we understand by Sustainability?  Definitions centre on the understanding that the planet’s natural resources are finite, and need to be managed sensibly addressing concerns for the protection of the natural environment (for example, the impact of pollution, such as by microplastics), societal issues (including job creation/protection) and economic development/vitality (including the need for sustainable tourism).  In short, humans need to treat the natural environment with respect and consideration of the needs of future generations. We need to think about our legacy for our children and grandchildren?

The first International "Sustainable Aquatic Research" Symposium took place in Izmir, Türkiye, from May 21-22, 2024. The event featured 59 papers from 21 different countries, including Türkiye (23), Scotland (1), Greece (1), Saudi Arabia (1), Australia (1), Bulgaria (1), USA (1), Philippines (7), Indonesia (4), Italy (1), Pakistan (3), Bangladesh (1), Croatia (1), Iran (5), India (1), Turkmenistan (1), Oman (1), Morocco (2), Romania (1), Algeria (1) and Brazil (1) (Approximately 61 % are from outside Türkiye). The symposium was attended by 123 academicians, researchers, and delegates. The keynote speakers from 6 countries delivered talks on. A range of topics, namely “Blue Transformation; The Impact of Disease on the Sustainability of Aquaculture; Fisheries in the Mediterranean: Today and in the Future; Biosecurity as a Tool for Sustainability; Collaborations in Operation for Sustainable Seafood; and Aquatic Animal Nutrition” that shed light on the current problems of our planet. Thus, the presentations focused on a diversity of topics relevant to the aquatic environment all with the central theme of sustainability. In particular, the Symposium addressed many current issues, and including:

aquaculture

nutrition and the need to replace the current use of protein from trash fish species in commercial diets

disease, and the problems of lost production, and those related to antibiotic use

sustainable brood-stock production enabling controlled production without reliance on using wild caught individuals

aquaponics, which has the benefit of using less water than traditional aquaculture

fisheries

we must not continue to plunder the oceans, wasting any organisms not regarded to be of commercial value

biotechnology

production of commercially useful products from aquatic organisms without overuse of wild caught organisms

The workshop drew attention to issues related to the use of artificial intelligence in ensuring fish welfare. Also, delegates discussed about the role of women, in: “Woman in Private Sector and Science”. Finally, Professor Addison Lee Lawrence, who contributed to the emergence of the symposium, and whom we lost recently, was remembered. Thus, the Symposium raised awareness of ongoing concerns regarding the aquatic environment, fostered interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, inspired actionable strategies that promote the health of our water bodies for future generations, and set the tone for future meetings.

Professor Brian Austin               

 Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA,  Scotland, U.K.

Professor Erkan Can

Faculty of Fisheries, Depaertment of Aquaculture, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Türkiye