INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition

Tuna 2012 Bangkok

Bangkok, dubbed the “global tuna industry capital”, has been chosen again to host the largest tuna industry gathering, the INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition. TUNA 2012 will be held from 23-25 May at the Shangri-La Hotel. Undoubtedly, Bangkok is among the most suitable venues to accommodate this large biennial tuna industry event where around 600 delegates, perhaps even more this time, will gather from all over the world.

Conference

Much has happened in the tuna sector over the past few years. The struggling US economy, debt crisis in the Eurozone and the impact of the tsunami in Japan last March have dented consumers’ confidence, thus significantly affecting the tuna industry and the global market. Acquisition and consolidation among the major tuna companies continue in response to the increasingly competitive and ever changing business environment. Controversy surrounding the MSC certification for free schooling skipjack in the PNA waters, aggressive and provocative campaigns by certain environmentalists, commitment by supermarkets and packers in the UK to sell only tuna from pole and line and FAD-free sources, new management measures enforced by RFMOs etc are among the issues that have shaped and shaken the global tuna industry. In short, the industry is currently facing unprecedented challenges that need to be addressed effectively towards a stronger, bullish industry.TUNA 2012 is certainly the best platform for all the industry players to openly discuss these issues.

The three-day conference will focus on the latest developments in the global and regional tuna industries. Issues on resources, fisheries management, markets and marketing, products and quality developments, new technology, trade and food safety as well as sustainability, eco-labelling and environment will be adequately covered.

CHAIRPERSON

IN-SOO CHO,
PRESIDENT AND CEO STARKIST CO., USA

"It is truly an honor to serve as chairperson of the 12th INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference & Exhibition 2012. I look forward to discussing global macro-economic trends and their impact on our industry as I kick off this premier industry event.

I hope that my fellow leaders and colleagues in the tuna industry will join me for what promises to be the most important gathering of the year as we discuss sustainability, mergers & acquisitions within the industry, global market conditions, and many other timely topics this May."

News Updates

- New StarKist CEO sees more of a global market

Dongwon Group agreed to buy a tuna cannery in Senegal late last year, taking a step into African and European markets. Next up for the South Korean conglomerate, according to various news reports, could be an investment in a Spanish canned tuna company.

For Pittsburgh-based StarKist, its parent company's merger and acquisition forays could mean more exposure globally for the brand known for its Charlie the Tuna mascot.

Dongwon acquired StarKist in 2008, when it was sold by Del Monte Foods after earlier being sold off by the H.J. Heinz Co. Packaging and selling tuna has challenges different from those that come with selling ketchup or canned vegetables, and overall tuna consumption hasn't exactly been growing in recent years.

Read more

PressRelease, April/May 2012

Exciting debates expected at Tuna 2012 conference

In barely a month, the largest global tuna industry meeting will commence. Major tuna industry players, tuna governing bodies, NGOs, service providers and government officials will gather in Bangkok for the TUNA 2012 conference and exhibition to be held from 23-25 May. The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thailand, Mr. Theera Wongsamut is scheduled to officially open the event. Thirty five (35) well known speakers have confirmed their presence to address major issues affecting the industry. The keynote address by the conference chairman, In Soo Cho, President and CEO of StarKist Co. will highlight global economic outlook, consumer trends and their implications to the global tuna industry going forward.

Sustainability and review of the effectiveness of management measures employed by regional organizations as well as industry initiatives to push for better practices will be discussed in the first session featuring Helga Josupeit (FAO), Alejandro Anganuzi (IOTC), Glenn Hurry (WCPFC), Guillermo Compean (IATTC), Susan Jackson (ISSF) and JK Lee (WTPO). With the skyrocketing skipjack price, other increasing costs and declining demand in major markets, tuna packers are redefining their strategies to remain competitive in the fast changing business environment. Chanintr Chalisarapong of the Thai Food Processors Association (TFPA) will share the Thai canned tuna industry’s experiences in addressing these challenges. Transform Aqorau, CEO of the PNA office, will explore the impacts of various measures implemented by PNA on the global tuna industry, as the group controls around 68% of the skipjack resources in the Western and Central Pacific ocean.

Debate on FAD-free (free school) and pole & line tuna fisheries will start with David Ardill’s presentation. He will argue that the case against purse seining and pole & line in the Indian Ocean is very weak considering the bycatch, bait and carbon footprint factors. This issue will be further reviewed by Victor Restropo (ISSF), Sari Tolvanen (Greenpeace), William W Fox (WWF-USA) and Shiham Adam (The International Pole and Line Foundation).

The latest market and marketing trends in the Americas, Europe and Asia for canned and non-canned tuna products will be thoroughly discussed during the second day of the conference. Chaired by Christopher Lischewski, President and CEO of Bumble Bee and Chanintr Chalisarapong, Thai Food Processors Association, this session brings together reputable speakers from industry leaders and international organizations: Dave F Melbourne (Bumble Bee), Mike Walsh (Orca Bay Seafood), Ron Schindler (Clover Leaf Seafood), Dario Chemerinski (Calvo Group), Helga Josupeit (FAO), Henk Brus (Atuna), Luis Molledo (DG MARE, EU), Juan Vieites Baptista de Sousa (Eurothon/ANFACO), Akira Nakamae (Kaimaki), Fatima Ferdouse (INFOFISH), Pedro Castillo Celso (FIA, PNG), Ziad Abdul Rahim (Gulf Food Industries), Seamus McElroy (consultant) and Eugene Lapointe (IWMC).

The increasing popularity of eco-labeled tuna products and their certification schemes will be reviewed by William Emerson (FAO) following presentations from major certifiers namely Bill Holden (MSC), Paolo Bray (FOS) and Mark Berman (EII). The last, but not the least, session will have interesting topics on transportation by Thue Barford of Maersk Line, X-Ray Vision technology for quality inspection by Allan Anderson (INSPX) and Satellite technology for monitoring fishing community by Chris Wilson of GeoEye.

In addition to the conference, an exhibition featuring latest products, technology and services will be held at the same venue. We are now on LinkedIn where you post your comments.

For details of TUNA 2012 please visit: www.tunatradeconference.com

Press Release - March 2012

President &CEO of Starkist Co., USA to Chair the Conference!

In-Soo Cho, President & CEO, Starkist Co., USA, has agreed to be the Chairperson of the TUNA 2012 to be held at Shangri-La hotel Bangkok, 23-25 May. He will present the keynote address at the conference and commented “It is truly an honour to serve as chairperson of the 12th INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference & Exhibition 2012. I look forward to discussing global macro-economic trends and their impact on our industry as I kick off this premier event.I hope that my fellow leaders and colleagues in the tuna industry will join me for what promises to be the most important gathering of the year as we discuss sustainability, mergers & acquisitions within the industry, global market conditions, and many other timely topics this May”. Joining him as session chairs are Christopher Lischewski, President and CEO, Bumblebee Foods Inc, USA, Dr Chanintr Chalisarapong, Chairman of Thai Tuna Processors’ Group, TFPA, Glenn Hurry, Executive Director, Western and Central Pacific Commission (WCPFC) and an impressive line-up of speakers complementing TUNA 2012.

Sustainability of tuna resources and how the RFMOs, NGOs and industry players work together to achieve this common goal will be the main focus of this year’s conference. PNA’s free school skipjack certification, controversial issues related to pole & line and non-FAD sourcing will also be debated. In addition to regular reviews from FAO, WCPFC, IOTC and IATTC, there will be speakers from ISSF, WWF-USA, PNA, Greenpeace, MSC, Friend of the Sea, Earth Island Institute, International Pole and Line Foundation to present their stands at this largest tuna gathering.

For the first time, the President of Eurothon and General Secretary of ANFACO Spain, Juan Vieites Baptista de Sousa and Luis Molledo, DG Mare, EU will be speaking at the conference. A representative from Papua New Guinea’s tuna industry, Pete Celso is to discuss whether the country is a really threat to the European tuna industry.

This year’s conference will also have the presence of Eric Ma, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Thailand who will be speaking on “Mergers and acquisition and their impact on the tuna industry”. Well-known and regular speakers from the US, Europe, Japan, Asia and Latin America will update on the latest trends and issues in the global tuna market.

All exhibition booths have been reserved to date but you still have a chance to promote your business by being a sponsor at the world’s biggest tuna gathering, TUNA 2012. Attractive packages are available to suit your requirements.

Full programme and speakers as well as other details of the conference and exhibition are available atwww.tunatradeconference.com

….and don’t miss out on the early bird registration date: 6 April 2012!

See you at TUNA 2012 Bangkok!