Organiser, Infofish, has announced that SHRIMP 2022 will now be a hybrid event, making it the first event hybrid SHRIMP Conference. The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) is hosting the venue for the conference at The Everly Putrajaya Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia. It added that since Malaysian borders are now open for international travelers, there will be quarantine free travel to Malaysia.
In the run up to the conference, INFOFISH announced that 
Dr Audun Lem, Deputy Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, FAO, Italy will be delivering the keynote address of the conference. In an interview, Lem responded to questions on key drivers for resilience in the aquaculture sector over the last two years during COVID-19; the fundamental role of innovation in aquaculture and
SHRIMP 2022 is jointly organised by INFOFISH; the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), Department of Fisheries, Thailand; Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia Pacific (NACA); and China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA) with media partners Aquaculture Asia Pacific; Aquafeed.com; Hatchery Feed & Management; and World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and, supported by The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and Indonesian Aquaculture Society (IAS).
INFOFISH: In your opinion, what were the key drivers for resilience in the aquaculture sector over the last two years during COVID-19?
Dr Audun Lem: The entire seafood sector showed a remarkable degree of resilience and ability to adapt quickly. To some extent it is in the DNA of the sector, there has always been volatility, both related to natural phenomena, weather conditions, production challenges, or changes in import requirements. In this case, certainly market diversification was one factor, another was increased digitalization of processes. It must also be mentioned that official support programmes were crucial for the survival of many businesses.
INFOFISH: During the ‘Sustainable Aquaculture Technologies’ webinar organized by INFOFISH in 2021, you have mentioned that ‘Innovation is fundamental and the aquaculture sector is continuously taking on the new technologies. Sharing of the information and spreading the efficient, cost effective and innovative solutions is important. From your standpoint, what are the major challenges in spreading innovative technologies?
Dr Audun Lem: For the sector to grow and provide food to a growing population, innovation is key. This means the capacity for uptake of new technology which is related both to human capacity as well as availability of finance. But also policies must be put in place to allow the sector to thrive. This is not always the case.
INFOFISH: How can partnerships and investments help the aquaculture sector (specifically in the shrimp industry) in achieving post pandemic recovery?
Dr Audun Lem: Investments are necessary so access to finance and insurance are just as important as access to water and sites.
Collaboration is important both to ensure cohesion and communication of the many incredible achievements of the sector but also for learning from each other and transmitting best practice. Fairs and commodity conferences are important in this regard so INFOFISH is doing an excellent job also here, in addition to the technical capacity building you are doing in the region. I would also like to mention that one of the SDGs mention cooperation and partnerships as a specific goal and it is clear that with that, we will not reach the ambitious goals set in the UN Agenda 2030. https://www.shrimp.infofish.org
