ECOCASD 2023, International Conference at Hawassa University.
College of Natural and Computational Sciences at Hawassa University in Collaboration with the Center for Aquaculture Research and Education (CARE), Fisheries and Aquaculture (ASFA) associated with Auburn University College of Agriculture Alabama - USA, other international partners from Ghana, Uganda and India as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, has organized the 7th International Conference on Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Development (ECOCASD 2023) under the theme "Aquatic Resources for Sustainable Aquaculture Development" at Hawassa University main campus from June 20 - 21, 2023.
Dr. Ayano Berasso, President of HU, officially opened the conference where he said that the conference is timely and appropriate in the context of the evident need to ensure food security across the globe, and particularly in developing nations like Ethiopia. He pointed out that climate change and the tremendous population growth are major factors calling for the intervention of research and technology transfer to satisfy the needs of the growing population. He also remarked that countries are now designing and developing new strategies to increase food production in Aquaculture through investments, education, coordination and integration of research and technology transfer as this has proved to be one of the vital additional food production sectors significantly contributing to the global food security, nutritional well-being, poverty reduction and economic development.
Dr. Zufan Bedewi, Dean of the CNCS, on her part explained the underlying reason why her college organized the conference with a topic of great relevance to food and nutrition security and income generation of developing countries like Ethiopia. Dr. Zufan underlined that there is an imperative need to intensify food production through the application of improved technological inputs, especially in the least exploited area of aquaculture, the fastest food production sector in the world. In this regard, the Dean expressed her gratitude to the organizing committee and leadership at HU and important partners in realizing the conference namely: World Aquaculture Society - USA, World Aquaculture Society-African chapter - Uganda, Mississippi State University, Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security - USA, American Soybean Association - USA, Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, FAO Sub Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Society for Advancement of Biological Sciences, Bangalore - India, and Volta Breams - Ghana.
Two key note speeches were delivered by veteran researchers Dr. William H. Daniels from USA and Dr. Zenebe Tadesse from Ethiopia, entitled "Aquaculture Development: Insights from a lifelong Global Engagement", and "The Status of Fishery and Aquaculture in Ethiopia: Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects", respectively. The speeches were focused on the experiences of fisheries production, feed supply, marketing, food culture and policy issues in Africa and the world.
The speakers mentioned that world population is projected to reach beyond nine billion by 2050 calling for an enormous need to work towards ensuring food security across the world. The speeches have also highlighted on health benefits of fish consumption, contributions of fishery towards sustainable development goals, and the multiple advantages of fish farming.
Overfishing, less interest in using fish as a source of food, shortage and high price of feed supply, post-harvest handling, and lack of proper market opportunity were mentioned among big challenges in the area of fishery and fish production in Ethiopian context.
During the Conference, Life Time Achievement Recognition Awards were given to Prof. Zinabu G/Mariam (an outstanding scientist and a founding President of HU), Dr. William H.Daniels (an outstanding scientist and leader of the sector from USA), Dr. Ayano Beraso (Current president of HU for his outstanding leadership and societal contributions beyond the university), Dr.
Zufan Bedewi (Dean of the CNCS for her remarkable leadership and scientific contributions), and Prof. Pavanasam Natarajan (an outstanding scientist from India, now an expat staff of HU).
Several researchers invited from different universities in Ethiopia and abroad presented their research findings on related topics to aquaculture and fishery followed by warm scientific discussions and suggestions over the two days long conference.
