Minutes for the 33rd Annual UJNR Aquaculture Meeting

The 33rd Joint Meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel was held from November 2 -7,2004, in Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima and Fukuoka, Japan. The business meeting and symposium were held in Nagasaki, Japan, Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute on November 2nd and 3rd, 2004. The theme of the symposium was "Ecosystem and Carrying Capacity of Aquaculture Ground for Sustainable Development of Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement."

Opening Remarks
Dr. Sakai opened the meeting and welcomed Dr. McVey and the U.S. delegation. Dr. Sakai expressed his interest in this year's theme and indicated that the UJNR Aquaculture Panel was a very important panel under the UJNR framework. Dr. McVey echoed Dr. Sakai's statements and noted that this year's theme resonated with many policy developments in the U.S. Dr. McVey thanked Dr. Sakai for his hospitality and indicated that he looked forward to a very productive meeting. Dr. McVey also expressed his sympathy for the recent victims of the earthquake and for the troubles endured during the typhoons earlier this year.

Procedural Matters
Dr. Sakai and Dr. McVey introduced their panel members.
Dr. Sakai requested that the agenda be adopted and both parties agreed.

Dr. Toda was nominated to take notes for the Japan side. Melanie Caesar was nominated to take notes for the U.S. side.

Scientific Exchange and Literature Exchange
Dr. Kobayashi indicated that the Japanese side had collected 79 pieces of literature that were difficult to access for the exchange and that they would send this material to the U.S. He also noted that there are over 150 papers available on the NRIA website. Also, he noted that 25 individuals had traveled to the U.S. after the UJNR aquaculture panel meeting for UJNR related matters. Dr. Sullivan reported on Dr. Bern's travels in Japan last year to illustrate the importance of the long history of U.S. and Japanese cooperation. Many connections between American and Japanese students, professors, and researchers have led to the development of strong aquaculture leaders in both countries. Dr. McVey noted that the U.S had collected 43 titles for the literature exchange. This list will be posted on NOAA's UJNR website and the materials have already been sent to Japan.

Status of the Publications
Dr. Yokoyama indicated that Japan had completed the publishing of the 31st proceedings and this information was published in the Bulletin of Fisheries Agency: Supplement. The U.S. indicated that they had received this bulletin and are distributing the information in their network. The U.S. is in the process of finishing the editing of the 32nd proceeding and hopes to publish the information in 6 months.

General Discussion

Modification of the UJNR System
Both sides indicated that they were very happy with the current configuration of the UJNR panels. The U.S. indicated that did not want the Aquaculture panel to move to a food security theme. The U.S. wished to remain in the marine panels framework. Japan indicated that they were happy with the current system as well and did not wish to see any structural changes to the system. Both panel chairs indicated that they would express this information to the UJNR executive committee.

Follow-up of the 6th Five year plan.
Both sides confirmed that next year's theme would be Aquaculture and stock Enhancement of Finfish (2005). There was some difference in the English wording of the title for 2006. The U.S. indicated that their notes said that the theme would be Building Sustainable Food Supplies through Aquaculture, Wildstock Enhancement, and Habitat Management. The Japanese agreed to this wording.

Workshop on Balanced Ecosystem in Hawaii, 2005
Dr. McVey indicated that the U.S. had sent an invitation to Dr. Sakai to participate in a workshop in April of next year. The invitation requested that Dr. Sakai compose a team of 5 to 6 individuals to develop a scenario in which aquaculture could be considered as a tool for coastal zone management. The U.S. indicated that they have cooperative agreements in aquaculture with China and Korea, and representatives from these countries have also been invited to form teams. There will also be a team from Canada and Vietnam and experts from Europe. The Japanese indicated that they are still considering this proposal.

Publication of the 33rd Proceedings
Dr. Toda indicated that the proceedings would be published in a supplement to the Bulletin of Fisheries Agency. Dr. Mac Rawson indicated that he could facilitate the English editing of the scientific papers. Dr. Rawson served as the primary organizer of the U.S. scientific program for this year's meeting.

Other New Business
Dr. Helsley noted that the method of peer review for the publication of the UJNR proceedings was a concern expressed by the Japanese three years ago. To respond to this concern, the U.S. drafted a proposal on developing an optional peer-review process. Dr. Helsley gave the proposal to the Japanese and requested they discuss this item at the meeting next year. The Japanese accepted the proposal and indicated that they would review the idea.

Dr. Dallas Alston indicated that the University of Puerto Rico would like to organize the next UJNR meeting `Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement of Finfish` in Puerto Rico. Dr. Alston indicated that this would occur in the October or November timeframe. However, there is still some uncertainty. Thus, Virginia Sea Grant or South Carolina Sea Grant Program would be back-up locations for the next year's meeting. The U.S. noted that this decision will be finalized in the next month, and they will send this information to the Japanese counterparts.

Other
Dr. Linda Chaves gave an announcement about the Third Symposium on Stock Enhancement and Sea Ranching, which will be held on Sept. 17-22nd 2006. She also commended the Japanese for their excellent job in organizing the second symposium.

Dr. Linda Chaves indicated that an Experts Working Group is being organized under the auspices of the FAO COFI Aquaculture Subcommittee to develop protocols for the conduct of Risk Assessment for Finfish Aquaculture. The U.S. agreed to send more information about this meeting when details are finalized.

Finally, Dr. McVey indicated that he would like to re-establish the student exchanges that had been very successful in the past. However, they would like to invite Japanese graduate students to locations such as Puerto Rico and Hawaii to participate in those offshore aquaculture programs. He noted that students with an ability to dive would be more appropriate. The U.S. agreed to send more information to the Japan side.

Conclusion
Dr. Sakai thanked those arranged the meeting and welcomed the U.S. side again.

Since the business had been concluded, the 33rd joint business meeting of the UJNR Aquaculture Panel Meeting was then adjourned. These minutes were signed on November 6, 2004 in Fukuoka, Japan.