Market driven approach for responsible seaweed production
Koji Yamamoto, General Manager, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Japan
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Seagriculture Speaker
Seagriculture Speaker
Seagriculture Asia-Pacific
8 - 9 February 2023
Online
About the speaker:
Koji Yamamoto has marine biology degree from Bangor University and aquaculture master degree from James Cook University. Prior to joining the ASC, he had worked as an aquaculture officer for FAO and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) to implement sustainable aquaculture development projects in Asia and the Pacific region. He also took a part in developing FAO “Technical guidelines on aquaculture certification”, which was published in 2011. Since 2017, he has been working as a general manager of ASC Japan to promote environmentally sustainable and socially responsible aquaculture in Japan.
Interview:
1) When was the first time you got involved with seaweeds and why?
Not counting my early “involvement” consuming wakame since childhood, my first involvement was farming of Eucheuma in Aceh, Indonesia as a part of the rehabilitation project for 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The project was supporting number of communities to re-establish livelihoods through fisheries and aquaculture activities, and Eucheuma farming was one of the activities that provide valuable income through coordinated efforts by the group of members with limited resources.
2) What is your view on the Asia-Pacific seaweed industry in 2030?
Continue growth with more emphasis to ensure environmental sustainability and social responsibilities.
3) What will you be talking about at Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2023?
ASC certification as a market-driven approach to support the responsibly produced seaweed, and connecting the products to global markets.