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World scallop experts meet on the Coast
21 April, 2005
15th International Pectinid Workshop 21 - 26 April
One hundred scientists, fisheries managers, economists,
processors and fishermen from 15 countries will meet in Mooloolaba
this week to discuss scallops as part of the 15th annual
International Pectinid Workshop.
The scientific term for scallops is pectinid and the workshop,
which runs from April 21 to 26, will discuss the world's scallop
industry, the aquaculture of scallops and general scallop biology
and management.
Queensland supports a valuable scallop fishery, and there are
new developments in the culture of scallops in Queensland and other
parts of Australia.
Increasing attention is being given to spatial management of
fisheries such as those for scallops.
The concept is simple - it involves leaving scallops in key
areas unfished, to stabilise populations and to act as a source of
spat (baby scallops) to fished areas.
Rotational harvest methods, similar to the rotational culture
used in medieval Europe, are also being used as a management tool
in scallop fisheries.
Scientists from Canada, the USA and Australia will discuss the
operation and effectiveness of these techniques during the
workshop.
Scallop culture is big industry in parts of Asia with Japan and
China producing more than two million tonnes of scallops per year
through culture programs.
Smaller culture operations exist in countries such as Chile and
New Zealand.
The workshop's keynote speaker Russell Mincher, from New
Zealand's Challenger Fisheries Company, will describe his company's
development, giving emphasis and focus on a unique form of
fisheries co-management between industry and government.
The workshop will be opened by Richard McLoughlin who is the
Managing Director of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority,
at 9.30am on Thursday 21 April, at the Outrigger Resort,
Mooloolaba, and delegates will hear 40 contributions by experts
from countries including Norway and Chile.
World leaders in the field of scallop biology will discuss
topics as diverse as biotoxins in scallops and the use of sonar for
detecting scallop beds during the week-long workshop.
The international visitors will also participate in a full
social program designed to give them a snapshot of Sunshine Coast
attractions, including an evening function at Underwater World.
A colourful poster session will be held at the University of the
Sunshine Coast on Friday April 22.
The international workshop is supported and sponsored by the
University of the Sunshine Coast, fisheries management agencies,
hatcheries and fishing companies from around Australia.