September 5, 6.30p.m. CEST

Is cooperation with Asia the downfall for the west?

In a heated debate on the last day of AQUA 2012, industry experts questioned if cooperation with Asia is beneficial for western producers.

“I’m wondering if we’re sowing the seed to the destruction of our own aquaculture industry,” said Ferdinand Wirth, associate professor of food marketing for Saint Joseph’s University, New Jersey.

The technology transfer to Asian companies turned out to be rather disastrous for US companies, he said. Due to lower production costs, Asian companies swamped the market with cheaper products, feeding on profits of western companies.

“We