World Fishing Exhibition Vigo '09: 70% of space already reserved

At little more than a year away from the celebration in Vigo 2009, 70% of the available space has already been reserved. Many of the companies which have booked space are manufacturers of engines and propulsion equipment, and this is a remarkable fact at a moment in which the fishing industry is trying to find solutions to face the continued rise in fuel prices.

Companies dedicated to electronic equipment and fish finding technology, aquaculture, nets and fishing equipment will also be present at the exhibition.

Organisers have confirmed the participation of many international companies from Italy, France, Faeroe Islands, United Kingdom, Cuba, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, which will take national pavilions.

From September 16th to 19th 2009 with Vigo once again playing host to the World Fishing Exhibition, various forums running parallel to the exhibition will include the Fifth International Fisheries Ministers Conference and the World Summit on Sustainability of Fisheries, will be the framework within which fishery ministers, representatives of the industry, scientific, government and supra national organisations will meet with the aim of identifying sustainable fisheries and ensuring their responsible development.

The President of the WFE Executive Committee stressed the responsibility of both States and the industry itself to ensure the sustainable exploitation of marine living resources and added that “we cannot continue in this way…the Fishing Industry, today more than ever, needs a completely new approach and strategy.

“Ten years ago a theory which announced the end of the fishing industry impacted on the highest political circles, but that situation has changed nowadays,” according to Mr Paz-Andrade who also explained that “in spite of the current difficulties we are facing due to the rise in fuel prices, which may represent more than 40% of the vessels' operating costs, the outlook for the fishing industry is hopeful." In his opinion “the fishing industry is playing an important role in the world economy and this industry must be maintained as there are 47,6 million people dependent on fishing, 89% of whom are Asian.

The President of the WFE Executive Committee highlighted the aquaculture industry's contribution to the world's supply of fish for direct human consumption. Today, world aquaculture production provides 45% of fish for human consumption and this is expected to be increased to a 50% by 2015, totalling thereby 85mt. According to FAO and taking into consideration the world's population growth in the next few decades, 37mt plus of the total fish supply for food is expected to be produced to fulfil demand by 2030. Based on these facts, and according to Mr Paz-Andrade, “the Aquaculture industry will be strongly represented at the World Fishing Exhibition '09, it will finally have attained the recognition it has been waiting for.”

For more information please visit: www.worldfishingexhibition.com