The 6th edition of the GIANT PRAWN Conference, a premier event dedicated to the farming and conservation of giant freshwater prawns of Macrobrachium spp., was successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 27 to 29, 2023. Organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in collaboration with Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) and the Department of Fisheries, Thailand, the conference brought together 160 participants from 17 countries.
Conference Highlights
Themed Another Giant Leap for Sustainability, GIANT PRAWN 2023 emphasized the unique potential of giant freshwater prawns for sustainable farming practices. The conference delved into cutting-edge technological innovations, particularly in biotechnology, aimed at improving prawn stocks and advancing the freshwater prawn farming industry.
The conference covered four main sessions: 1. Country status 2. Genetics and novel biotechnology 3. Prawn health management 4. Sustainable prawn farming methods. Plenary lectures and panel discussions, such as "How resilient is the Freshwater Prawn industry to the global challenges?" and "Genetics, Nutrition, Health, and Novel Production Systems – What Next for the Global Freshwater Prawn Industry?" added depth to the technical sessions.
GIANT PRAWN 2023 featured an exhibition showcasing innovations in the international giant prawn industry. Additionally, over 100 delegates participated in a farm tour to visit an indoor giant prawn broodstock centre and hatchery in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
The conference placed a strong emphasis on cutting-edge technological innovations, especially in biotechnology, aimed at improving prawn stocks. Discussions covered areas such as: - Genetic improvement techniques for enhancing prawn growth rates and disease resistance - Novel breeding technologies to develop superior prawn strains; sustainable farming methods such as: - Innovative recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for more efficient water use - Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) techniques specific to freshwater prawn farming; health management technologies such as: - advanced disease detection and prevention systems, and novel disease management methods for prawns.
The conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange, network building, and collaboration in the realm of freshwater prawn farming. It brought together experts from countries including Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, the United Kingdom, and the USA, reflecting the global impact and shared commitment towards sustainable aquaculture practices.
As the aquaculture industry continues to evolve, events like GIANT PRAWN play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable freshwater prawn farming. The success of the 2023 conference sets a strong foundation for future editions, including the upcoming GIANT PRAWN 2025 to be held in China. For more information on the GIANT PRAWN Conference series and updates on the 2025 event, please visit our official website: https://www.giantprawn.org.
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