"Perspectives for Sustainable Production and Sales." There are prospects, because shellfish are healthy food and farming is good for nature. On the other hand, there are current problems with both production and sales. The mussel harvest in the Netherlands is declining. Scarcity is partly being met by imports, but elsewhere in Europe, production is also under pressure. What are the causes, remedies, and prospects? How is this being addressed elsewhere in Europe, and especially how to address the various consumer categories?
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, ON "SALES"
• What drives mussel and oyster consumers?
• What are the trends in consumer behavior, and how is young consumers being reached?
• Does the supply of shellfish match demand?
• How could shellfish attract more attention in supermarkets?
This program session is being realized in collaboration with the SeaNext project. This project, led by the Netherlands Fish Bureau, aims to improve information about seafood, raise awareness of its role in a sustainable, healthy, and protein-rich diet, and increase seafood accessibility in the consumption patterns of younger generations in particular. The SeaNext project is co-financed by the European Union.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 23, ON "SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION"
• What are the current prospects?
• Is there sufficient space, and what are the opportunities at sea?
• What are the trends in shellfish farming?
• What are the prospects for combining with other sectors, such as recreation?
These questions are at stake on Friday morning. The session will focus on trends in shellfish farming, as well as the prospects for combining with other sectors, such as recreation. The results of an international workshop on this added value, held on the Wednesday preceding the conference, will also be presented.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON: "FURTHER PERSPECTIVES"
• What do young people see in the sector?
• How do they approach mussel and oyster farming?
• Which innovations are appealing?
Ideas and experiences will be discussed in a panel discussion with young shellfish farmers and the audience
There is growing interest among women to take on important positions in the shellfish industry. Experiences at home and abroad will be shared. Sarah Holmyard, director of UK women in seafood, will explain the situation in the UK.
The conference will conclude with a keynote presentation.
POSTERS
Results of recent research and various innovations will be presented in an interactive poster session during lunch.
TRADE FAIR
The first registrations have been received: approximately 20 exhibitors have already confirmed and will be announced on our website soon. There is room for new exhibitors.
As in previous years, this edition is open to everyone. Thanks to the central location in Goes, we also expect an even larger turnout than in previous years.
NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION
Starting at 4:30 PM on Thursday, January 22nd, the Producer Organization for the Dutch Mussel Culture, in collaboration with the Dutch Mussel Auction, will host a New Year's Reception. All participants are invited.
CONFERENCE DINNER
The traditional conference dinner will be held on Thursday at 7:00 PM in De Babbelaar, the exhibition hall of the conference.
