World Seafood Congress 2019 Officially Making Waves in Penang

The World Seafood Congress (WSC) 2019 with the theme Seafood Supply Chains of the Future commenced this morning at Setia SPICE Convention Centre.

WSC 2019 sessions revolve around twelve programme themes which define the framework of Seafood Supply Chains of the Future. The conference unites a distinctive and world-class blend of scientists, researchers and leaders both from the scholarly community and industry to trade their information, experiences and research advancements on fish inspection, quality management and technological developments in the seafood sector. It will also address existing and evolving conditions that are critical for the sustainability of fisheries, aquaculture and ocean ecosystems, and demonstrate new innovation and solutions to these challenges.

Held for the first time in Asia, WSC 2019 is attended by a total of 350 delegates with 11 keynote speakers and 40 exhibitors from the international seafood industry and research fraternity. Owned by the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI), WSC 2019 is co-organised by Penang Institute and The Centre for Marine & Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Officiating the welcoming ceremony were The Right Honourable Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang and The Honourable Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Malaysia. “In line with its Penang2030 vision, the State Government of Penang is aiming to modernise and diversify agricultural production to position Penang as a high-tech Green Valley and aquaculture industrial zone. We need to build a more sustainable relationship with our oceans, as they are vital for food security, economic growth, and sustainable livelihoods,” said The Right Honourable Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang during his opening speech.

Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, as the local host, elaborated on how Penang acts as a gateway into Southeast Asia and thanked the World Seafood Congress for choosing the state for the congress to be held for the first time in Asia. “Penang, however, still retains the reputation of having a good balance between Land and Sea, between the Urban and the Rural, between the Modern and the Traditional and between the East and the West,” he said.

Among the few keynote speakers that will be presenting at WSC 2019 include YBhg. Dato’ Haji Munir bin Haji Mohd Nawi (Director General of Fisheries Malaysia), Ms Xiangjun Yao (Regional Programme Leader of FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific), Dr Gareth Johnstone (Director General of WorldFish), Dr Meryl J. Williams (Asian Fisheries Society (AFS)) and Dr Arif Satria (Rector of IPB University – Institut Pertanian Bogor). The congress is supported by the Penang State Government and Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).