The 13th edition of the Aquaculture Roundtable Series (TARS) 2024, focusing on Finfish Aquaculture, successfully gathered 210 stakeholders from 25 countries. This year’s event saw a 17% increase in participation compared to TARS 2017, surpassing expectations amid economic uncertainty in global markets.
This was the third edition of the TARS series focusing on finfish aquaculture, following the 2013 and 2017 meetings which addressed growth strategies and industrialization, respectively. This year’s theme, “Steering an Industry into Focus,” highlighted a key issue within the industry, i.e. the dominance of lower-value species like tilapia and pangasius, and the noticeable absence of high-value marine fish species.
While large integrated operations in Asia have gained global recognition, the industry continues to struggle with finding a clear focus and direction for growth. Asian producers, however, have the potential to expand by tapping into the global whitefish market, and in doing so, play a more significant role in enhancing food security.
Held in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 14-15, the program featured 10 sessions with 40 international speakers, panelists, and industry players who presented in-depth analysis, and shared innovative business models, and cutting-edge technology along the entire supply chain, from genetics to production to markets.
The three dialogue sessions explored challenges facing the production-led marine fish sector, where the farming of multiple species limits economies of scale and hampers research and development in areas such as genetics, feed development, and vaccines. The rising costs and cyclical lows in farmgate prices for tilapia and pangasius raised a critical question: Has Asia’s supply outpaced demand, or is it falling short in branding, marketing, and sustainability efforts?
Producers must strive to meet the rising demands for environmental sustainability as well as certification, traceability, and fish welfare – factors that are becoming increasingly important in global markets.
TARS is organized annually by Aqua Research PL and Corporate Media Services PL and supported by industry sponsors. This year’s sponsors included DSM-Firmenich, U.S. Grains Council, Jefo, Alltech, BASF, and Lucta.
TARS 2025 will be held August 20-21 and will focus on shrimp aquaculture.
About TARS
Established in 2011, The Aquaculture Roundtable Series® (TARS) is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to address challenges and opportunities within Asia’s aquaculture industry, and identify new avenues for research and innovation to support sustainable development of the sector. TARS is designed as a series of roundtable sessions to focus on three main sectors of the industry, namely shrimp, finfish and aquafeeds. For more information, visit www.tarsaquaculture.com.
