Speakers
keynote speaker
Speakers
Dr. Kittichai Vichayanuraksa
Chief Operating Officer, Sarasin Hatchery & Farm, Thailand
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Prof. Matthew Tan
Chair - Expert Group for Sustainability, APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Singapore
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Dr. G. Sugumar
Former Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, India
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Wildan Ghiffary Turmudi
Ocean Technology Advisor, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, Indonesia
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Bryce Duc Lu
Vice President, Research and Development, Viet Uc Seafood Corporation, Vietnam
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Mr Chandra Bhat
Aquaculture Expert, PMMSY Committee Yadgiri, India
Mr. Chandra Bhat is a Senior executive and aquaculture specialist with over three decades of global experience spanning India, the Middle East, and Africa. Recognized for leading start-ups, turnarounds, and expansion projects in seafood processing, aquaculture farming, and integrated food businesses. Built and managed shrimp hatcheries, farms, and processing plants, achieved record-breaking yields, and secured international certifications (BRC, IFS, ASC, ISO). Advisor to governments, universities, and investors on aquaculture development, traceability, and sustainability. Skilled at building large teams (750+) and training them to world-class standards.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Vu Ngoc Ut
Professor, Can Tho University, Vietnam
Dr. Vu Ngoc Ut is a professor in aquaculture and Rector of the College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Viet Nam.
He graduated his MSc program in Aquaculture at Ghent University, Belgium in 1997 and earned his PhD degree in Applied marine biology and Aquaculture from University of Wales Bangor, UK in 2003.
Dr. Vu Ngoc Ut has experienced in teaching and research in aquaculture for more than 30 years. He has supervised more than 10 PhD students and 50 MSs students. Dr. Vu Ngoc Ut has also led more than 25 different projects including international, ministerial and provincial projects covering different fields related in aquaculture. He has also published more than 150 papers in which 40 of them are on Scopus/WoS journals. He has recently been awarded 2 projects funded by UK BBSRC in collaboration with Stirling University and Southampton University and 2 projects funded by VLIR-OUS and Gestic, Belgium in collaboration with Ghent University on resilient and sustainable aquaculture in the Mekong Delta, Viet Nam.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Kittichai Vichayanuraksa
Chief Operating Officer, Sarasin Hatchery & Farm, Thailand
Dr. Kittichai Vichayanuraksa is an accomplished aquaculture and shrimp industry executive with more than 30 years of experience spanning shrimp breeding, hatchery operations, farming, feed, frozen seafood, supply chain management, sales, marketing, business development, and digital transformation.
He holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Kasetsart University and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Sarasin Hatchery & Farm Group, Thailand. He has also held senior leadership positions including Managing Director and Co-Founder of Sarasin Hatchery & Farm Group, Director on the Board of Trang Seafood Public Company Limited, Marketing Director of WellDyeing Factory (China) Co., Ltd., and Assistant Vice President & Country Director of Gold Coin Specialities (Thailand), part of the Aboitiz Group.
Dr. Kittichai has extensive expertise in shrimp hatchery management, SPF broodstock, biosecurity, shrimp health, genetics, feed and nutrition, production efficiency, supply chain management, and strategic business development. His experience covers multiple shrimp species, including Black Tiger, Vannamei, Pacific Blue Shrimp, and Banana Shrimp.
A strong advocate of innovation, he has focused on applying digital technologies, data analytics, AI, and digital transformation to modernize hatchery operations, improve production planning, strengthen biosecurity, reduce operational risks and costs, and enhance productivity and profitability. He is also experienced in strategic planning, customer relationship management, sales and marketing, R&D, and building sustainable value chains across the shrimp industry.
With extensive industry relationships across Thailand and Asia, Dr. Kittichai is recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to advancing sustainable and high-performance aquaculture.
Speaker Biography
Tamas Eisenbeck
Senior Policy Officer, Seafood Europe, Germany
Tamás Eisenbeck is a fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood policy professional with experience spanning EU seafood policy, fisheries monitoring, aquaculture research and development, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
He currently serves as a Senior Policy Officer at Seafood Europe, where he coordinates the Food Law Working Group and works on EU seafood trade regulations, food law, and autonomous tariff quotas. His previous experience includes fisheries observation in the Antarctic krill and bluefin tuna fisheries, aquaculture R&D at AquaBioTech Group, and hands-on installation and maintenance of RAS facilities across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Tamás has also worked with the Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Hungary and the European Commission’s DG MARE. He holds an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Aquaculture, Environment and Society, with academic experience across the Scottish Association for Marine Science, the University of Crete, and Nantes Université.
His expertise covers fisheries and seafood policy, trade regulation, aquaculture innovation, RAS technology, sustainability, fisheries compliance, and stakeholder coordination, making him a valuable contributor to discussions on the future of sustainable seafood and aquaculture.
Speaker Biography
Prof. Matthew Tan
Chair - Expert Group for Sustainability, APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Singapore
Professor Matthew Tan is an eminent sustainability specialist and seasoned venture capitalist with over three decades of experience across Asia. He brings deep domain expertise at the intersection of advanced technologies, investment, and institutional-scale commercialisation, underpinned by his extensive track record as an AgriTech practitioner.
He currently serves as Singapore’s Private Sector Representative to the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS), and as Chair of the APEC Expert Group for Sustainability. For the past number of years, he has also been actively involved in assisting governments with their Economic Transformation – Agri Tech 4.0 in the light of food security; working in tandem with the various ministries and multiple stakeholders in the various economies with an overarching view to achieving their future food security goals.
As an Agri-Tech domain specialist, Matthew has pioneered carbon-neutral strategies that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce operational footprints, and enable organizations to transition toward climate-resilient and sustainable models. His work bridges strategy and execution, ensuring that initiatives deliver measurable outcomes in food production and processing systems.
His recent achievements include spearheading the integration of AI elements into Agri-tech projects, aligning business strategies with sustainable practices; development and executing carbon-neutral strategies whereby effectively reducing the environmental footprint of related Agri & Food production operations. His commitment to promoting sustainable practices is further demonstrated through the establishment of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and industry leaders.
Speaker Biography
Dr. G.Sugumar
Former Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, India
Dr. G. Sugumar, former Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Nagapattinam started his career in teaching at the Fisheries College and Research Institute,TNAU, Tuticorin in 1986, has over 30 years of service in teaching and 12 years of service in University administration in various capacities. He was the Special Officer for the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University in 2012-13 and later served as Dean of Fisheries College and Research Institute Thoothukudi from 2013 to 2018.
Academically acclaimed he won University Gold medal both at masters and doctoral programmes respectively from TNAU, Coimbatore and UAS, Banglaore. He had his postdoctoral research at the Hiroshima University, Japan winning Japanese Government Scholarship during 1996-98 and a specialized training on Molecular diagnostics from Texas A&M University, USA in 2000 under FAO fellowship. He has successfully completed eight projects (R&D and infrastructure) as PI with an outlay of Rs. 685 lakhs obtained from various funding agencies. He has guided Masters and Ph.D. students’ research on Fish Processing Technology and Fisheries Microbiology. He published more than 100 research and technical articles, 5 books, 1 book chapter, 5 teaching & 12 training manuals and over 50 popular articles. He has been conferred with the Best Teacher Award – for the period of 2003, 2004-07, 200810 by PFGF, Mumbai.
He served as a member of the Scientific Panel on Fish and Fish Products, FSSAI, New Delhi (2000 - 2026) and also as the Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee of the ICAR-CIFT, Kochi (2022-2025).
Speaker Biography
Yahira Piedrahita F
Executive Director CNA, Ecuador
Yahira Piedrahita is Aquaculture Engineer from ESPOL, holding a diploma in Fisheries Economics and a Master’s in Bioaquatic Resource Management and Environment. With over 30 years of experience in shrimp aquaculture, expertise covers production, health management, water and soil quality, and quality control. Certified instructor in HACCP and SCP, with extensive knowledge of EU, U.S., and Chinese food safety legislation, market access requirements, and audit procedures. Professional background includes leadership roles in Ecuador’s government as Director General of Aquaculture and of the National Fisheries Institute, university teaching, and consultancy for multinational companies and international organizations such as CBI, the EU, UNIDO, and FAO. Founding member of CIDEEA, Advisory Council member of USSEC’s Soy Excellence Center, and Board Member of the World Aquaculture Society (2023–2026). Since 2011, serving as Executive Director of Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture.
Speaker Biography
Wildan Ghiffary Turmud
Ocean Technology Advisor, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, Indonesia
Wildan brings over 10 years of experience in ocean conservation technology, small-scale fisheries, and transparency governance practices in the marine and fisheries sector in Asia Pacific. His knowledge and expertise in the ocean monitoring technology have helped a lot in providing, proposing, and choosing adaptive solutions to marine protected areas management.
Prior to joining Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), Wildan leads Global Fishing Watch’s small-scale fisheries initiatives program. He is based in Indonesia and His role as part of the global transparency program, working closely with governments, fishing associations, NGOs and other institutions to support the sustainable management of capture fisheries resources by increasing transparency of human activities at sea. Wildan has a bachelor of science in marine science from the Universitas Padjadjaran in Indonesia and a master of science in aquaculture and marine resource management from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands.
Speaker Biography
Bobbi Hudson
Executive Director, Pacific Shellfish Institute (PSI), USA
Bobbi Hudson is Executive Director of the Pacific Shellfish Institute (PSI), a non-profit research organization with a diverse portfolio of biological, oceanographic, and social science projects along the U.S. West Coast. PSI provides the shellfish industry, resource managers, and the general public with practical tools and information to support healthy shellfish populations. Bobbi manages research studies and general operations of the Institute, and frequently serves as principal investigator for multi-institutional research studies. She also serves on various state and regional working groups related to marine water quality and shellfish production in the U.S., and sits on the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Working Group on Ecological Carrying Capacity in Aquaculture. Bobbi holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Environmental Science, and splits her time between Washington, Alaska, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Speaker Biography
Soparat Bamrungsak
BDM ( Certification and Inspection), Control Union Thailand
Soparat Bamrungsak is a Business Development Manager and Senior Auditor at Control Union Thailand, with more than 15 years of experience in aquaculture, seafood certification and responsible supply chains. Her professional experience spans aquaculture production, fisheries, seafood processing and chain of custody, encompassing international certification programmes such as ASC, BAP , MSC , SMETA and FTUSA.
Through her auditing and industry engagement across the Asia-Pacific region, Soparat brings practical expertise in environmental sustainability, social responsibility, labour rights, traceability and responsible sourcing. Her work involves assessing how international standards are implemented across seafood supply chains, with particular attention to the challenges faced by producers, processors and exporters in meeting certification and buyer requirements.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, specialising in Aquaculture and MBA.
Speaker Biography
Heysel Calderón Gómez
Manager for Fisheries and Aquaculture, FAO, Colombia
Heysel Calderón Gómez is a Marine Biologist with a Master’s degree in Sustainability and postgraduate specializations in Project Management and Business Intelligence. She currently serves as National Fisheries and Aquaculture Manager at FAO Colombia, where she leads strategic initiatives at the intersection of aquatic foods, nutrition, sustainability, resilient livelihoods, and food systems transformation.
Her career bridges science, public policy, international cooperation, and on-the-ground action, with extensive experience in small-scale fisheries, sustainable aquaculture, value chains, inclusive markets, governance, social protection, resilience, and the blue bioeconomy. Her work brings together fishing and aquaculture communities, governments, academia, the private sector, and international partners to translate global commitments into practical solutions for people and territories.
At FAO, Heysel has contributed to key national processes shaping the future of Colombia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, including public policy development, implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, sustainable value chain development, food loss reduction, value addition, and improved access to nutritious aquatic foods.
At the heart of her work is a powerful idea: aquatic foods are far more than a source of protein. They are a critical link between human health, nutrition, biodiversity, culture, livelihoods, and thriving coastal and inland communities. Through this lens, she champions Blue Transformation as an opportunity to build aquatic food systems that are healthier, more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable delivering lasting benefits for both people and the planet.
Speaker Biography
Bryce Duc Lu
Vice President Research And Development, Viet Uc Seafood Corporation, Vietnam
Dr. Bryce Duc Lu serves as the Vice President of Genetic & Genomic Research and Development at Viet Uc Group. With more than 18 years of experience applying genomics to animal genetic improvement, he leads the selective breeding programs for whiteleg shrimp, black tiger shrimp, and Tra catfish at Viet Uc Group.
Dr. Lu holds a PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the University of Guelph, Canada and has focused on improving the genetics of traits related to growth, reproduction, meat and milk quality, health, and environmental adaptation across both livestock and aquatic species. In the curent role, he is dedicated to delivering high quality, resilient broodstock that secures long term economic prosperity and predictable harvests for shrimp and fish farmers.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted
World Food Prize Laureate, 2021
Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted was the Director for Nutrition, Health and Food Security Impact Area Platform, CGIAR until mid 2025. She was previously the Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health at WorldFish. She was awarded the 2021 World Food Prize for her ground-breaking research, critical insights, and landmark innovations in developing holistic, nutrition-sensitive approaches to aquatic food systems. She was awarded the 2021 Arrell Global Food Innovation Award for research innovation. She is Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and a member of the Food Systems Advisory Board of the UN Food Systems Hub. She was a member of the Steering Committee of the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS). She was Vice Chair of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021: Action Track 4 - Advance Equitable Livelihoods, and also a Food Systems Champion. In 2022, Shakuntala was appointed co-chair of the EAT-Lancet 2.0 Commission. Shakuntala holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark. She holds Honorary Doctorates from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and The University of the West Indies.
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