Seventh International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture

ISTA VII 6-8 September 2006

SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TILAPIA IN AQUACULTURE Boca del Rio, Veracruz ,MEXICO http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/ISTA7/ISTA7.htm

This will be the seventh of the highly successful series of symposia that have brought together tilapia biologists to review the latest discoveries in tilapia biology, ecology, improvements in production systems and other fields related to tilapia and their use in aquaculture. This will be the first of the symposia to be held in Mexico after earlier meetings in Israel, Thailand, Cote D’Ivoire, U.S., Brazil and the Philippines. This symposium will have a special emphasis on the rapid advances in genetics, development of advanced breeds, the development of international markets, and opening new markets for Mexican produced tilapia products. This symposium will include a trade show, which will provide a forum for industry suppliers, seafood marketers and the aquaculture press to meet directly with researchers and producers. Field trips are being organized to nearby tilapia farms and a processing plant.

Three new reference books on tilapia will debut at the conference with an author signing event planned. Other social events will include a tilapia dinner and contests for largest tilapia, best tilapia artwork, and best tilapia dish at local restaurants.

The State of Veracruz and The American Tilapia Association will sponsor the meetings. Panorama Acuicola Magazine will be the host and organizer of the trade show. Co-Sponsors include the US-AID AQUACULTURE T.I.E.S. project and Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program. The University of Arizona , Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas, and Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and their students are also assisting with conference planning and on-site support. Other collaborators assisting with the symposium include the Latina American Chapter of The World Aquaculture Society who will hold their annual meeting at the same time. The Tilapia International Foundation who will be awarding the Father Heine Award, the World Fish Center and Global Aquaculture Alliance.

Kevin Fitzsimmons and Salvador Meza will be the ISTA 7 co-chairs. Dallas Alston will be delivering the key note address and Ricardo Martino will preside over the Latin America – WAS portion of the conference.