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On 11-12 November, the 9th

International Tilapia Industry Development Forum will be held in Haikou. Set up in 2002, this is one of the most important platforms for Chinese tilapia industry internation-al exchange and factory, university, institute and manager four parties’ communication. China as the main producing coun-try of tilapia supplies nearly half of global tilapia products. The healthy and orderly development of Chinese tilapia industry not only takes advan-tages to the stability of international tilapia trade, but also set an example of sustainable development to aqua-culture in developing countries. In recent ten years, China’s tila-pia industry has achieved long term development. The farming produc-tion has got 1.44 million tons from 0.7 million tons ten years ago. At pres-ent the tilapia export volume takes account nearly 50% of global tilapia trading with 320,000 tons while com-pared with ten years ago it has 10

INTERNATIONAL TILAPIA INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FORUM

times growth. Tilapia has become the most competitive species among export aquatic products. At the same time, the excessive growth of industry brings some bottleneck, such like how to expand market, how to lead inno-vation and how to keep sustainable development. All those issues should be paid attention by strategy transi-tional tilapia industry. Under that situation, the ITIDF9 estab-lishes its forum topic. As a summary and demonstration of China tilapia 30 years experience, the forum takes the role of perfecting international trade and driving domestic demand. It sets a sound foundation for industrial tran-sition, technological innovation and sustainable development. According to market analysis by multinational authority experts, this forum will point out the direction of international mar-ket, by diagnosis of famous marketing experts to explore new developing roads, by strengthening communica-tion to choose a sustainable road for Chinese tilapia industry.

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Moderator Cui he executive vice president of CAPPMA

ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE OF TILAPIA INDUSTRY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION

The roundtable conference of tilapia industry international communication has been held on Nov.11th. There are more than 30 representatives from international and domestic tila-pia producing companies, processing and expert enterprises, World Wide Fund for nature (WWF), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) and Chinese industrial associa-tions. The discussion of how to solve

the healthy development of tilapia industry is the main topic of the round-table conference. Tilapia as an introducing species of China, its every link from fry, farming, feed to processing all experienced improvement. Under the situation of rapid development, the numerous tila-pia producing companies, institutes and NGOs are paying more atten-tion on the industry. They hope the strengthened dialogue and exchange

can improve a confirmed decision to drive sustainable development of tilapia industry with the assistance of various stages. The conference was taken charge by Dr. Cui he who is the executive vice president of CAPPMA. The discussion contains three major topics: sustain-able development of tilapia industry, advices of industry growth and stand-out issues solving. The participants will express their opinions and make

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Cui he executive vice president of CAPPMA

discuss around those three points.Hainan has the best growth trend of China tilapia industry. The forum in Hainan to discuss industrial pros-pect and outlet not only takes use of the good district advantages, but also has important practical signifi-cance. “Several decades ago, China started to introduce tilapia to farm. Now China’s tilapia production has account 45% of total global produc-tion. Developing China is achieved more attention from worldwide, and China’s positive influence and lead-ing role to other developing countries is generally appearing. Though the achievements have been got, we can not ignore the existence of prob-lems. Finding issues while solving it should be the manner and action of a responsible big country.” Dr. Cui said firstly.To aquaculture developed country and developing country has many

differences ideally. So the influ-ence of China to other developing countries seems more significant. Besides complying with international tendency and advocating sustain-able development, China should consider how to put sustainable tila-pia industry into practice. Dr. Cui explained detained that “to most developing countries, it is difficult for small and middle scaled companies to take sustainable operation. At this time, the capable and responsible big enterprises should take example to lead the growth of whole industry. Such like market mechanism and admittance system both are good encouragement to big companies to achieve international standards. The whole level of industry can be enhanced correspondingly.” In 2005, BAP Certification from ACC entered into China. In the following

6 to 7 years, China has become the top one country with the most BAP certification enterprises. Until now, there are more than 30 Chinese companies getting BAP certification focusing on US market. To MSC and ASC certification based on EU market, it must help Chinese tilapia export companies to explore a wider global market for it good reputation and successful experience. The goal of this conference is to drive tilapia industry to sustainable level by the ASC certification requirements to tilapia whole industrial chain.Afterwards, vice president aquacul-ture of WWF-US José introduced the establish background of ASC certification briefly. “ASC is founded by WWF initially. Based on the influ-ence of WWF 5000 employees in more than 180 countries, ASC certi-fied products are being accepted by worldwide buyers and retailers. In

SFP Aquaculture Director Anton

José WWF-US Vice President Aquaculture

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the future 18 months, our main work is to improve the ASC certification in Chinese tilapia industry under the assistance of CAPPMA.” SFP aquaculture director Anton is very interested in the supporting poli-cies of Chinese government to tilapia

industry. “At 18th Party Congress, Chinese government stresses the building of ecological civilization. What will the influence to China aquaculture development?” Peter Chiang as the founder of Taiwan Hanaqua Tech Inc. said from the growth history of Taiwan region that government’s attention and market pressure gives direct effect to indus-trial transition. Dr. Cui gave deep analysis on this question. “Formerly China uses more effort to do pro-ducing which results certain bad effect to environment. However at present, government shows signal from high level to increase eco-logical input and strengthen green cultivation construction. It takes a good chance for the sustainable development of aquaculture. Aimed at tilapia industry, ASC certification pays more attention on ecology and environment protection. Its existence fits the developing requirement of Chinese modern fishery. With the assistance of certification, support of government and close coopera-tion of organizations, the sustain-able development of Chinese tilapia industry could be guaranteed. Also it plays a sample for more developing countries’ aquaculture.” Liu Rongjie the Chairman of Hainan Xiangtai Fisheries Co. asked a question to ASC CEO Chris Ninnes representing numerous Chinese tilapia export companies. “Recently the import market starts to request ASC certification for our tilapia prod-

ucts. As the number of certification increasing, the burden imposed to Chinese companies becomes heavi-er. How can ASC stand out among all similar certifications?”“Certification repeat is a reality that all of us don’t want to see. Always we are doing two aspects of things: improve the accuracy and compre-hensiveness of ASC certification, and increase efficiency of certifying process. According to the improve-ment of adaptability to make cer-tification complying with market requirements, ASC will survive to the end getting rid of being elimi-nated. The raising cost from certifi-cation can not avoid. What we are doing is trying to facilitate the cer-tifying process to give more help to Chinese companies under the coop-eration with CAPPMA and WWF, such like transiting MSC to ASC fluently.” Chris answered. Finally Dr. Cui made a summary to this time roundtable conference. As a traditional big aquatic products export country, China consumption market is expanding yearly. In facing of the certification which is decided by producing party and consumption party together, Chinese discourse power must be enhanced. Along with the strengthening of environmental awareness, Chinese requirement to certification and implement degree will increase equally. In the future, just the certification been confirmed by China, can become the trend of international acceptance.

Liu Rong jie President of Hainan Xiangtai Fisheries Co.

Chris CEO of ASC

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Welcome DinnnerAt the evening of Nov. 12, in order to give thanks to all attendees of the forum, CAPPMA arranged a welcome dinner to provide a communication chance to participants. During the dinner, the award ceremony of first branch of ASC

COLORFUL CORRESPONDING EVENTS

Mary SSmithh who achieved two big prizes- the mmost and the heaviest

A Journeey to Haikou China Standard Tilapia Farming FField and Processing FactoOn Nov. 14 CAPPMA has arranged a group of representatives

and Hainan Shy-Blue Ocean Foods Company for processing factory. This visit gives a chance for international and domestic organizers to look into Chinese tilapia aquaculture. Several

and so on attended this journey.

At the afternoon of Nov. 13, tens of representatives

by CAPPMA. The match was doing under warmly and friendly environment. According to the interesting match, people’s knowledge of tilapia is increased and the confidence to have sustainable development is strengthened.

Chris Ninnes CEO of ASCC