Invited speakers:
Kurt Tande (Calanus AS, Norway)
Some zooplankton species are currently being targeted for commercial harvesting around the world. The only current large-scale harvesting is for Antarctic krill. Other species are now only harvested in small-scale fisheries. However, recent advances in technology allowing for more efficient fishery operation, and the making of high value products (omega 3, cosmetic products, food for aquaculture industry) are starting to change the dynamics of zooplankton fisheries. Increased demand for these products may open up new zooplankton fisheries in the near future. The management of these new fisheries, taking place at the base of the marine foodweb, in many cases may lack the necessary scientific knowledge to be performed according to best practice. For example, stock size, productivity, reproductive potential, and trophic role are to some extent unknown for many of the potentially harvestable zooplankton species. The workshop aims to bring together the latest information on current and potential zooplankton fisheries, their future prospects, and discuss scientific contribution for improving our understanding of the ecosystem, which will in turn help to improve management of the fisheries and the ecosystems they are in. The workshop also serves as a forum to bridge industry and the scientists for potential future collaboration.
