Statement of the Twenty-Eighth Joint Meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting

The Twenty-Eighth Joint Meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting was held on November 6-15, 1999 in Hawaii. A business meeting was held in the afternoon of November 8, in Oahu, HI. The theme of the symposium was Maturation and Developmental Mechanisms and Seed reproduction.

Dr. James P. McVey, Chair of the U.S. delegation, opened the joint meeting by welcoming Dr. Knihiko Fukusho, Secretary General, and the entire Japanese Delegation. He introduced the hosts for this symposium: Dr. Charles Helsley, Sea Grant Director for the University of Hawaii and Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Hawaii Sea Grant Aquaculture Specialist.

The theme adopted for the 28th meeting attracted many scientists and administrators. The large number of papers necessitated two days for the symposium and a mini-symposium at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Dr. McVey indicated that both sides have continued to fulfill the objective of the panel by providing a continuing forum to promote the development and conservation of natural resources through cooperation in applied science and technology; improving the environment for present and future generations, and increasing and enhancing bonds of friendship between Japan and the U.S.. He specifically noted the exchange of information, data and literature; communication and cooperation between individual scientists and technical specialists; exchange of scientists, exchange of samples and research equipment, joint conferences and symposia, joint presentation of papers and tours of research facilities and industrial operations and joint projects and study cruises that have been accomplished over the course of the past 29 years. He commented that the research and technical exchange priorities for the sixth five year plans, 2002-2006, as well as exploring science related to maturation and spawning of aquatic species will be set developed during the course of the 28th meeting. He emphasized an ever increasing in communication between Japan and the U.S. through the use of modern electronic digital communication. Dr. McVey concluded by noting the importance of environmentally responsible aquaculture that can be achieved through the combined efforts of scientists, industry, coastal communities and governments concerned with balanced development to meet the challenges of the next millenium.

Dr. Fukusho, Japanese Secretary General of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel, on behalf of Dr. Mamoru Kato, Chair of the Japanese Delegation and Director General of the National Research Institute of Aquaculture, thanked Dr. McVey, Dr. Charles Helsley, Vice-Chairman Conrad Mahnken and Secretary General William Heard for their extensive efforts in organizing the meeting and hosting the 27 Japanese delegates.

Dr. Fukusho reported that the proposal by the U.S. side to initiate cooperative research on sock enhancement in flounder and recent joint efforts to set up a UJNR home page have created an extremely high level of activity. Dr. Fukusho also noted the efforts, both on the U.S. and Japanese sides to form a researcher/student exchange in the field of aquaculture as an excellent example of how a UJNR panel should operate. In addition, Dr. Fukusho stated that in order to make progress in areas such as intensive culture of finfish and shellfish employing on-demand feeding and stock enhancement based on culture fisheries, it is essential to establish a means of stable and well planned seed production for aquatic species of interest. Furthermore, through the symposia and site visits the U.S. and Japan will be able to learn more about the fruits of research which have contributed to promoting improved seed production and technology. Dr. Fukusho concluded by thanking Drs. Charles Helsley, Clyde Tamaru, Paul Kilho Park and Mr. Uday Joshi for all they have done to promote activities and communications between Japan and the U.S. for this year? meeting.

Dr. McVey introduced members of the U.S. Panel: Ms. Janice Beattie, NOAA Central Library (Literature Exchange); Mr. Uday Joshi, NOAA/OAR International Activities (Deputy Secretary General); Dr. William Heard, National Marine Fisheries Service (Secretary General); Dr. Conrad Mahnken, National Marine Fisheries Service (Vice-Chairman); Dr. Charles Helsley, Director, University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program; Dr. James Sullivan, Former Director, California Sea Grant Program (Scientist Exchange); Dr. Robert Stickney, Director, Texas A&M University Sea Grant College Program; Dr. Howard Bern, University of California, Berkeley; Dr. Thomas Chen, University of Connecticut; Dr. Paul Kilho Park, NOAA/OAR International Activities; Dr. Ken Leber, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL; Dr. Robert Iwamoto, National Marine Fisheries Service; Dr. Anthony Calabrese, National Marine Fisheries Service; Participant: Mr. Nicholas King, Great Bay Aquafarms; Dr. Ted Smith, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Dr. Fukusho introduced members of the Japanese Panel: Dr. Masaru Fujiya, Towa Kagaku Co., Ltd. (former Chaiman of Japanese Panel); Dr. Atsushi Furukawa, Colloquium on Aqua-Breeding Technique (former Chairman of Japanese Panel); Dr. Ichiro Nakayama, National Research Institute of Aquaculture (NRIA) (Vice-Secretary General); Dr. Marcy Wilder, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta, NRIA (Secretary); Dr. Hiroko Ishioka, NRIA; Dr. Masahito Yokoyama, National Research Institute of Fisheries Science; Dr. Hiroshi Fushimi, Fukuyama University; Dr. Akihiko Hara, Hokkaido University; Dr. Shinichiro Kawai, Kobe College; Dr. Takashi Yada, NRIA; Dr. Izumi Nakamura, Kyoto University; Dr. Keiji Hirose, Japan Sea-Farming Association (JSFA); Dr. Keiichi Mushiake, JSFA; Dr. Masahiko Koiso, JSFA; Mr. Yoichi Seto, Toyama Prefectural Fisheries Research Station; Mr. Osamu Yada, Hitachi Air Conditioning System Co., Ltd.; Mr. Jun Shoji, Kyoto University.

Dr. McVey introduced the U.S. rapporteur, Mr. Uday Joshi, and Dr. Fukusho introduced the Japanese delegated Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta.

The Agenda for the business meeting, symposium program, itinerary of the meeting and field trip, and list of members are attached.

Scientist Exchange Program

Dr. James Sullivan stated the importance of bilateral cooperation to stimulate and develop interactive cooperation. One of the first steps, as he noted, is the creation of the UJNR website and to use it to further promote exchanges of this kind (Scientists and Students). Dr. Sullivan reported that 10 scientists went to Japan to cooperate in activities pertinent to the UJNR. Dr. Sullivan handed out a list of the 10 U.S. scientists who visited Japan.

Dr. Nakayama handed out a list of the 64 scientists who visited the U.S. to carry out work under the UJNR Aquaculture Panel.

Literature Exchange Program

Ms. Janice Beattie thanked Dr. Nakayama and Ms. Ikuko Nagai for their work in furthering and improving the UJNR Panel and Aquaculture Home Page. She handed Dr. Nakayama a list of the 46 reprints from the U.S. Panel. Ms. Beattie also informed the Japanese Panel of her intention to have the UJNR and Aquaculture panel websites completed in the near future which will also provide full-text proceedings from all of the past aquaculture panel meetings.

Dr. Nakayama reported that 161 reprints were collected in the field of aquaculture. Reprints will be sent to the NOAA library by mail. He also informed that Japanese Panel is starting to set up UJNR home page translated to Japanese language, and also Dr. Takehito Fujii (Associate Secretary General) is establishing an information page on the current status of aquaculture in Japan.

Cooperative Studies Program

Dr. McVey, in noting the work of Dr. Tim Targett, University of Delaware, and Dr. Masaru Tanaka, Kyoto University, stated the unique time that we are now in relative to fisheries. He then reported on the recent signing of the Department of Commerce Aquaculture Policy document and the NOAA strategic plan that recognizes the importance of international cooperation.

Dr. Fukusho, on behalf of Dr. Kato, stated that combined efforts by the U.S. and Japan in the cooperation in flounder study will make stock enhancement more successful and will serve as as a model for future generations to follow should Japanese budget problems be resolved. He also reported on the fullfillment of the request by Dr. Anthony Gharrett, University of Alaska, for samples of Sebastes. Seven species were already sent to him, and Japanese Panel has been asking national fisheries research institutes, aquariums and other institutions for more collection.

Mr. William Heard, on behalf of Dr. Anthony Gharrett, expressed his appreciation for the samples. Furthermore, he extended an opportunity for those interested on the Japanese side to study Rockfish or other species at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Since Dr. Gharrett could have an opprtunity to stay in Hokkaido University and Kitasato University for several months, he would like to accept Japanese students to his laboratory.

Publications

Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta reported that the 27th Proceedings have been published and distributed so far 20 copies to the U.S. panel at this meeting.

Dr. McVey expressed his appreciation to the Japanese delegation for their efforts in completing the proceedings in a timely manner. He also thanked Dr. Paul Kilho Park, Ms. Jane Keller and Mr. Uday Joshi for their work on the U.S. side.

Dr. McVey also stated that the proceedings will be pasted in UJNR home page to show the history of UJNR Symposium to the world.

Dr. Nakayama and Dr. McVey decided that Dec. 31, 1999, be the deadline for submission of the manuscripts the 28th Aquaculture Proceedings.

New Business

Mr. Uday Joshi reported on the Monbusho Summer Program and STA Summer Institute Program in Japan, approved by U.S. NSF, and expressed the importance of U.S. students being able to conduct research in Japan.

Dr. Fukusho voiced the same opinion about the importance of student exchanges, such as the Monbusho, but mentioned two obstacles to the implementation of this program in the UJNR Aquaculture Panel. He said that Monbusho is administered by an agency different than the NRIA which makes it difficult to host students in National Research Institute of Aquaculture (NRIA) research facilities supported by the Monbusho. Dr. Fukusho also noted that the NRIA Facilities are research facilities where research should be carried out rather than training which is what the Monbusho summer program is aimed at.

Dr. Nakayama stated that NRIA would be in favor of hosting scientists involved in the Science and Technology Agency (STA) Post-Doctoral Fellowship program. He noted that the program is undersubscribed by scientists from the U.S..

Dr. McVey stated that the student exchange is very important to promote more active science exchange between U.S. and Japan. He proposed Japanese Panel to positively utilize this kind of foundation for student exchange in UJNR cooperative study.

Dr. Fukusho replied Dr. McVey's proposal that Japanese Panel would like to discuss further about the possibility to accept students from U.S. and their possible host laboratories, including expansion of the scope of panel members.

Five-Year Plan

Dr. Paul Kilho Park stated the formation of a group of six scientists to refine the sixth five-year plan, 2002-2006: Drs. Kunihiko Fukusho, Tetsuo Seki, Kazumasa Ikuta, Ken Leber, Cheng-Sheng Lee, Paul Kilho Park. The group is charged to prepare a concise draft plan by April 2000.

Although, both the U.S. and Japanese sides accepted the five-year plan.

Plans for Next Joint Meeting

Dr. Fukusho stated that the 29th UJNR meeting will be held at Ise City with the theme of Pathology and Fish Disease Prevention. The field trip will be in Ishigaki, Okinawa. He informed that Dr. Takeshi Murai and Dr. Megumi Minagawa, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, would talk about an outline of the field trip in Ishigaki Island in the Technical Session in Maui.

Dr. McVey stated that the 30th UJNR meeting will be held in Florida, as organized by Dr. Kenneth Leber.

Dr. McVey requested that the Japanese provide pictures of aquaculture sites in Japan to be included in the UJNR website.

Dr, Fukusho on behalf of the Japanese Delegation, presented Mr. Uday Joshi with a certificate of appreciation for the work that he has done for the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Program during the past three years.

Dr. McVey and Dr. Fukusho announced that all business had been concluded. The twenty-eighth joint meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting was then adjourned.


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