Hermosillo 2007
58th annual meeting of the Pacific Fisheries Technologists
18-21 february 2007
Hermosillo, Sonora, MEXICO
Al’Hea Quem Yebsa to Hermosillo
(Welcome in Yaqui language)
Hello, Dear PFT Members,
We are honored to host the 58th annual meeting of the highly successful series of the Pacific Fisheries Technologists. These meetings have brought discussion of the latest discoveries in fish biochemistry, ecology, fisheries and aquaculture improvements in production systems and other fields related to aquatic products through the years.
It will be the third of the PFT meetings to be held in Mexico, this time will be at the Universtiy of Sonora (UniSon) in Hermosillo. The state of Sonora, the City of Hermosillo, and of course UniSon are famous for their hospitality. We are sure this will contribute to a great PFT meeting.
Sonora is a state with a strong fishery industry, in fact one of the most important in the country. Hermosillo is also famous for cattle raising and its “carne asada” (BBQ beef), be sure to sample it and also the regional dessert “coyotas”, not to be confused with the wild canine. While it is useful to know some words in spanish it is not essential because there is always a friendly person around who can help in translating. A trip is being organized to nearby Kino Bay beach and a visit to a local seafood processing plant as optional activities.
This meeting will have a special emphasis on the rapid advances in processing, biochemistry, safety, aquaculture and fisheries. The PFT meeting will include a forum for industry suppliers, seafood marketers and the aquaculture sector to meet directly with researchers and producers.
From the economy and social point of view, sanitary quality of seafood -suitable for human consumption as well as safe- is becoming increasingly important for the development of the nation, it has an influence on the expected rise in employment, on the income of capital, and on the resources available for development. The sectors of fishery, manufacturing industry, trade, tourism services related to production, processing and provision of seafood, all contribute significantly to the gross national product and to capital inflow, apart from being the most important employers of the country.
There are several relevant actors involved in the production of safe seafood: individuals who offer products and services; the consumer; governmental organization which encourage and support individuals in their function or protect or educate the consumer, the challenge here is to get them involved and make them co-responsible for the achievement of seafood safety.
We will be very pleased if you can join us here in Hermosillo.
Josafat Marina Ezquerra Brauer
PFT 2007 President