Business Meeting Minutes
Sunday, November 6, 2005
The 34th UJNR Business meeting was held on Sunday, November 6th, 2005 at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Dr. James P. McVey and Dr. Yasuji Sakai began the meeting with welcome remarks and introductions of participants. Dr. McVey began by welcoming the participants and thanking them for coming to San Diego to attend the meeting. Dr. McVey noted that this relationship has resulted in numerous opportunities for both sides. For example, he thanked the Japanese delegation for providing a delegation to the multilateral workshop on the Role of Aquaculture in Ecosystem-based Management held in Hawaii in April 2005. This meeting was a great success, and Dr. McVey thanked the Japanese delegation for the scenario they contributed. Additionally, Dr. McVey noted that the US currently has legislation on introducing permitting procedures for offshore technology in front of Congress. Dr. McVey noted that the UJNR panel had helped shape some of the thinking going into this legislation. Dr. McVey noted that he expects this legislation to spark a great debate in the US.
Dr. McVey also noted that he has personally enjoyed his over 20 years of involvement with the UJNR panel and, as chair for 13 years. He thanked Dr. Sakai for co-leadership for the past three years. Dr. McVey announced that Dr. Robert Iwamoto would be the new US chair and that Dr. Michael Rust would be the new vice-chair. Dr. McVey concluded by thanking the Japanese again for helping to inform the US strategy for research on ecosystem-based management.
Dr. Sakai thanked the US for inviting the Japanese to friendly and sunny Southern California. He noted that he had the opportunity to come to the region two years ago, and he looked forward to a good and fruitful meeting. Dr. Sakai also expressed his concern for the victims of the hurricanes this year in the US. Dr. Sakai thanked the US for hosting the multi-lateral meeting on the Role of Aquaculture in Ecosystem-based Management earlier in the year. Dr. Sakai noted that the US-Japan aquaculture relationship is very active and that much is expected of the Aquaculture Panel. He noted that he expects the UJNR panel to contribute much to aquaculture research in the US and Japan. When Dr. Sakai introduced the Japanese participants, he noted that there were several young scientists in the delegation. He encouraged the UJNR panel to focus on developing the next generation of aquaculture specialists. Finally, Dr. Sakai noted that he looked forward to an excellent symposium with strong cooperation and friendship among all participants.
Both parties then adopted the meeting agenda. Dr. Jim Sullivan and Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta provided an overview of the scientific exchange over the last year. Dr. Sullivan encouraged the participants to look over the exchanges and noted that some exchanges were difficult to categorize. Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta noted Japanese scientists visited the US on seven different occasions, and there were seven different cooperative exchange activities.
Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta then presented the literature exchange for the Japanese side. Dr. Ikuta provided a list of 201 articles related to aquaculture that are accessible electronically. Dr. McVey presented the literature exchange for the US side. He noted that the US provided hard copies of 41 hard-to-find grey literature. Dr. McVey noted that the US would provide electronic copies in the future.
The two sides then discussed the status of publications. The US noted that the 32nd proceedings were finished and encouraged participants to take home a copy. Japan noted that the 33rd proceedings would be published next year due to budgeting cycles. They requested that the US review the English of the Japanese researchers.
In the general discussion, both sides agreed that the current five-year plan has worked well.
For old business, Melanie Caesar, UJNR Deputy Panel Secretary, indicated that the US had submitted a proposal last year to have a peer-reviewed publication of proceedings. The US noted that they had discussed this with Japan, and that the US did not intend to use a peer-reviewed process next year. The US also noted that although they were unable to sponsor student exchanges in the previous year, it felt as though it should be an important activity for the US in the future. Japan concurred.
Under the new business section, Dr. McVey noted that the US had proposed to Japan that UJNR move to a 3-year planning schedule rather than the 5-year schedule. This would allow for more realistic planning. Dr. Sakai agreed to this proposal. Dr. McVey then proposed several themes for discussion. The US suggested “Social, Economic, and Environmental Interactions for Fisheries Communities relating to Aquaculture”, “Future Protein Sources”, “Offshore Aquaculture Technology”, and “Mollusc”. The US indicated that it hoped that Japan would consider these themes, and the US looked forward to further discussion in the coming year. The Japan delegation thanked the US delegation for the proposals. They noted that they are currently undergoing their five-year research planning. These themes were all of special interest to Japan. The “Social, Economic, and Environmental Interactions” are of great importance to Japan for policy reasons. Japan looks forward to more discussions with the US to discuss these themes during the next year.
The two sides then discussed literature exchange storage. Japan noted that it had little space to store the written materials that the US sends. Thus, the two sides agreed to provide electronic copies of the literature exchange in future years. The US noted that there may be some copy-writing concerns on a case-by-case basis, but will do its best to provide everything electronically. Japan also noted that it would request fewer hard copies of proceedings.
The US then reiterated the new panel changes. Dr. Iwamoto will become the panel chair and Dr. Rust will become the panel vice-chair. This will bring some youth to the US panel. Japan welcomed the new members. The Japan delegation noted they often changed their panel members, but they hoped this provided different opportunities to individuals.
Next, the US noted that it intended to give the scientists the option of providing extended abstracts for future proceedings. These extended abstracts would allow researchers to review research or provide a summary of research status. This should allow for more rapid posting of research materials on the website. Japan also noted that the US also suggested last year that presentations from the previous year be posted on the website. The US noted that it had some difficulty posting PowerPoint presentation on the website, however, they will work with Sea Grant or other offices to resolve this issue. Both sides agreed that this would be a good idea.
The two sides then informed each other of upcoming meetings. Dr. Ken Leber, Director of the Fisheries Enhancement of Mote Laboratory and Scientific Coordinator for the 34th UJNR Symposium, discussed the 3rd Symposium on Stock Enhancement and Sea Ranching. Many members of the US steering committee were present in the delegation. The US welcomed Japanese participation. Japan noted that several members of the Japanese delegation intended to attend.
Linda Chaves, UJNR Panel Member, then discussed the upcoming Seafood and Health Conference. The meeting will draw together health and fisheries experts from Europe, the FAO, Canada, and the US.
Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta, UJNR Deputy Panel Secretary for Japan, informed both delegations that the Fisheries Research Agency will host the annual meeting of PICES next year in Yokohama. In that meeting, there will be a special session on aquaculture and stock enhancement. Dr. Kazumasa Ikuta also requested that the US participants assist in the JST pre-investigation on a global assessment of emerging research areas and technologies. The US agreed to distribute the assessments and send them to Dr. Ikuta by the end of November, 2005.
Finally, Japan welcomed the US to the 35th UJNR meeting that will be held in Mie, Japan.
In additional announcements, Dr. Jim Sullivan thanked Dr. McVey for his long service.
There being no further business, Dr. Iwamoto with Dr. Sakai’s agreement, then concluded the 34th UJNR Aquaculture Panel business meeting.
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