The Saudi Aquaculture Society in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Australian Trade Authority in Riyadh organized a symposium on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Riyadh, entitled "Research and development in the field of aquaculture”, presented by the Australian expert, Dr Nigel Preston, Director of “Integrated Research Program for the Culture and Production of Aquatic Animals” in the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia

The symposium was held in the presence of a group of Saudi investors and experts, as well as experts from the Australian side. It comes as part of the joint cooperation program between the Saudi aquaculture sector and the Australian side.

The symposium was opened by a speech from H.E, the Director General of Aquaculture in the Ministry of Agriculture, engineer/ Ahmed Al Eyadah, who emphasized the importance of the joint cooperation with the Australian side in order to benefit from their pioneer experience in the area of scientific research and aquaculture.  He added that scientific research is an essential step towards the development and progress of the aquaculture sector, underlining the Ministry's desire to support this aspect for the benefit of the aquaculture sector. Finally, he expressed his thanks to the Australian side for their efforts in this regard, and his thanks were also extended to the Saudi Aquaculture Society for organizing this symposium.

Afterwards, His Excellency the Australian Ambassador in Riyadh, welcomed all attendees and praised the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Australia, and the distinct partnership between the two countries in various sectors, looking forward to see the Australian companies and institutions playing an active role in the process of development of the aquaculture sector in the Kingdom, which is witnessing major growth and development.

His Excellency speech was then followed by a presentation from the Secretary General of the Saudi Aquaculture Society engineer/ Ibrahim Al-Mishari, who provided an overview of the Saudi Aquaculture Society, including its objectives, tasks and activities carried out in order to promote and develop the aquaculture sector in the Kingdom, and SAS desire to focus on scientific research as one of the most important aspects, and offer more support and guidance to it.

Later, the symposium started by a speech from the guest, Dr Nigel Preston, Director of the “Integrated Research Program for future culture and production of aquatic animals” in the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, in which he discussed the role of the Centre (CSIRO) in supporting scientific research in the areas of aquaculture in Southeast Asia, and the aspirations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to benefit from that experience. He also explained how the center was able to acquaint the private and public sectors with the specialized aquaculture research, whether at the national level inside Australia or internationally.

Finally, he highlighted the importance of scientific research in achieving sustainability and stability of aquaculture projects, preventing disease and improving nutrition and other features that contribute to the sustainability of the industry. Moreover, he touched on the potential areas of scientific research in aquaculture with the government and private bodies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and opportunities for cooperation between the two sides.