Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies Conference 2019

The SAFET Conference (formerly the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance [MCS] Emerging Technologies Workshop) is the only global conference where MCS and, now, seafood supply chain practitioners from around the world can explore and learn about the very latest technologies available for application in fisheries MCS and supply chain traceability.

By exploring emerging technologies as diverse as satellite remote sensing and unmanned surveillance vehicles, this conference will create and strengthen new connections among technology, industry, and government specialists as well as identify current and future opportunities for the application of innovative technologies in seafood supply chain traceability and fisheries MCS contexts.  Moreover, the event will help identify potential solutions to complex fisheries challenges by connecting technology providers with fisheries and seafood supply chain professionals in a forum that fosters a mutual and global vision toward solving the conservation and management challenges global fisheries currently face.

The initial event held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in 2014 had an ambitious vision to explore and discover emerging, and potentially disruptive, technologies that had the potential to be applied to the conservation and management of the world's fisheries.  The second event held in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2016 expanded the scope of the original event and incorporated a theme of “Anything is Possible!”  Following the execution of these two successful events and based on feedback from previous participants, the organisers decided to include supply chain traceability as a discrete component, acknowledging the interconnected role of the seafood supply chain with MCS technologies.

Thus, the theme for the 2019 SAFET Conference is “Illuminating the Supply Chain,” reflecting the recognition of the increasingly important role that the seafood supply chain plays in identifying and assisting actions related to investigations of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.  As evidenced by the implementation of regulatory measures by the European Union, United States, and, soon, Japan, regulatory authorities have progressively viewed seafood supply chain traceability as an increasingly important tool in combatting IUU alongside other available MCS tools.

The 2019 SAFET conference is expected to attract over 200 government, industry, NGO, and technology professionals from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and interests.  The overarching goal is to explore and discover the potential of emerging technologies to address some of the most difficult fisheries MCS and seafood supply chain traceability challenges in an effort to prevent, deter, or eliminate IUU.

Goals of the SAFET Conference:

-Improve and clarify the understanding of the existing MCS and supply chain traceability environment.

-Objectively review emerging and advancing technologies that might contribute to less expensive and more efficient MCS      and supply chain traceability.

-Advance future implementation of innovative emerging technologies in MCS and supply chain traceability applications where appropriate.

The conference is designed to unite practical approaches and established experience with cutting edge research and development. The conference format will combine information sessions, panels, demonstrations, interactive sessions, and direct contact with developers and innovators while featuring international experts poised to inspire and motivate the audience in keynote presentations.

The event will also facilitate international knowledge sharing between developed and developing regions, providing a unique opportunity to access new understanding and create new synergies related to the implementation of emerging technologies in fisheries ranging from small scale artisanal handline fisheries to industrial commercial purse seine fisheries.

The SAFET Conference welcomes anyone interested in learning about new and innovative ways to improve MCS and seafood supply chain traceability through novel applications of emerging technologies.  The SAFET conference also strongly supports the participation of representatives from developing nations and encourages the inclusion of women in this event.  Please plan to join us in Bangkok!