International biotech conference begins

Delegates waiting to be called on to the conference venue. Photos: Andrew Campbell.

A unique international conference opens in Tauranga today, bringing together scientists and researchers from across both the planet and marine bioscience disciplines.

Conference chair and Chair of Coastal Science at Waikato University Professor Chris Battershill says the Blue2Green Marine Biotechnology Convention is the first where biotechnology and aquaculture researchers have met.

'It is probably the first internationally, as aquaculture scientists don't mix with marine natural products chemists, so at this meeting we wanted to bring them all together because we know they can share ideas and make breakthroughs,” says Chris.

'It's about fast tracking and stimulating innovation, but in a sustainable sense.

'So our colleagues from China who are actually from our sister city Yantai are here, and colleagues from Ansan South Korea are also here, and of course across the Tasman, scientists from all around Australia are here as well.

'All up it's about seven countries represented, including Norway. We have speakers who are famous in their field from all those places, and what we wanted to do is show case the opportunities not only for the city but for the region - and the science we can facilitate.”

A local focal point is the sea lettuce, says Chris. Making something good out of a problem.

'The blue to green logo is about solutions from the sea that have applications on land.”

Delegates received a traditional Maori welcome and powhiri for the opening of the conference this morning, with the guests being called on to the venue at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club.

Speakers include Professor Ben Hankamer, Director of the Centre for Solar Biotechnology at University of Queensland; Dr Eva Anderson from the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway; Professor of Aquaculture Rocky de Nys (James Cook University) and Professor Song Qin (Chinese Academy of Science) who is the vice chairman of the International Marine Biotechnology Association (IMBA).

Professor Chris Battershill.

You may also like....

5 comments

Makes a lot of sense

Posted on 08-08-2017 13:53 | By Papamoaner

Only good can come from this. Hope it goes well


Pappork

Posted on 08-08-2017 17:22 | By maildrop

I assume you are attending old chap? Your idea for a "seawater tunnel leading to the underground aquarium", attached to your "constantly changing museum" are ideas that need a bigger audience than Sunlive. Maybe these good folk have a few truckloads of gold bullion they can give us. Have a great time.


@Maildrop

Posted on 09-08-2017 12:39 | By Papamoaner

Your behaviour is atrocious and obnoxious as is clearly evident to observers. My post was made in good faith. Yours is in very bad taste.


Sad

Posted on 10-08-2017 07:39 | By maildrop

What it highlights is someone who feels the need to comment on every story, even with a completely pointless and vacuous comment. That's sad enough, but then he goes back to the story time and again, to see who has responded. Then he always has to have last comment. I was having fun. What was your excuse for the vacuous comment to kick off? Go on, have last word, you can't help it. I won't know because I won't be returning, even though it was fun you biting. Job done.


@Maildrop

Posted on 10-08-2017 10:11 | By Papamoaner

Isn't that why we all cruise these threads, you included? - to discuss or debate interesting stuff? What puts you at a higher echelon to the rest of us?


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.