KAUST, MEWA host aquaculture forum; 2 MoUs signed to promote research

KAUST, MEWA host aquaculture forum; 2 MoUs signed to promote research

THUWAL — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has partnered with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) to host the KSA Marine Finfish Nutrition and Novel Feed Formulation Forum in Riyadh on May 17-18. The two-day forum brought together government, industry and academia to develop solutions for aquaculture. Among the highlights of the forum was the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU) that align with the conference’s focus on expanding marine aquaculture in Saudi Arabia. The event supports Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global leader in aquaculture, a sustainable practice that supports Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative’s focus on food security. Aquaculture is the controlled process of cultivating aquatic organisms for consumption. Similar to agriculture, but with fish instead of plants or livestock, aquaculture provides a solution for a sustainable supply of protein. The process also lends itself to lower greenhouse gas emissions than other types of farming. With Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines measuring roughly 3,400 kilometers, the Kingdom offers ample opportunities for innovation in this sector. KAUST Beacon Development, the university's consultancy arm, and MEWA are proud to have hosted the two-day conference where the two