PENANG has won the right to host the 21st International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET) conference in July 2024.
This is the third time the conference will be held in Asia, after Taipei, Taiwan in 1994 and Nha Trang, Vietnam in 2008.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he was glad that the conference would bring together fisheries social scientists, managers and industry leaders from every fishing region around the globe to share their expertise in Penang.
“This will allow Malaysian researchers and policymakers to network with the participants of this major biennial conference to learn ways in developing our fisheries and aquaculture sectors,” Chow said in his speech at the IIFET 2024 press conference in Komtar today.
“With a coastline of nearly 4,700 kilometers long, Malaysia is very much a maritime nation. The fisheries industry in Penang, particularly its aquaculture activities, has expanded significantly since 2008 and is a major contributor to the country.
“As of 2014, Penang’s aquaculture production had overtaken capture fisheries and marine landings, with an annual value of more than RM1 billion.
“Although the main economic drivers in terms of contribution to the state’s GDP are the manufacturing and service sectors, there is no denying the importance of strengthening the state’s agriculture sector, notably the fisheries sector, which includes aquaculture activities.”
Chow congratulated WorldFish, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and local universities such as Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia, for successfully winning the bid to host the IIFET 2024 conference in Penang.
Also present were Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran, World Fish interim director general Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed, Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems of World Fish acting director Dr Edward Hugh Allison.
Ashwin said the three-day conference would expect an estimated 350 delegates and an economic impact of RM2.1 million.
“Penang stands as a centre of excellence for marine and coastal studies and is also where the World Fish regional headquarters is situated.
“This conference will be a great opportunity to strengthen the state’s capacity to address the global challenges we face in managing the world’s aquatic food sectors for sustainability,” Ashwin said.
Dr Essam Yassin thanked the state government for its support and assistance through PCEB which contributed to them winning the bid to host the IIFET 2024 conference in Penang.
“I look forward to hosting a memorable IIFET conference in 2024. With Asia accounting for 70 per cent of the total fisheries and aquaculture production of aquatic animals in 2020, it makes a lot of sense for the IIFET conference to be held in Asia.
“For 50 years – 22 of which our headquarters has called Penang home – our work on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries has improved the lives of millions of women, men and youth.
“More than 800 million people – half of them women – earn a living from fish and other aquatic foods grown in and harvested from oceans, lakes, rivers and ponds. Aquatic foods also supply 3.3 billion people with 20 per cent of their animal protein needs,” Dr Essam Yassin said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Photo by Law Suun Ting