The 7th Rendez-Vous de Concarneau on marine biotechnology | Marinebiotech

www.marinebiotech.eu/news-and-events/era-news/7th-rendez-vous-de-concarneau-marine-biotechnology

The 7th Rendez-Vous de Concarneau on marine biotechnology

Published on 4 November 2015

Another ‘Rendez-Vous de Concarneau: where industry meets science in marine biotechnology’ were successfully held 15-16 October 2015. The meeting gathered more than 60 participants from around the world. The first session focused on ‘Laws in marine biotechnology in Europe’, a very important aspect when ownership and protection of material being collected in the oceans is to be utilised, and potential economic value estimated. The session was chaired by Jean Dominique Wahiche, MNHN, France, who also gave an excellent overview of the new legislation for Access and Benefit Sharing, and showed how it was based on the Nagoya protocol. The following speakers highlighted aspects of intellectual property rights regarding marine genetic resources in an international perspective. An engaged audience took part in a good round table discussion where all relevant questions were highlighted.

 

F.l.t.r. David Green and Michael Morrissey, visiting the Concarneau meeting at the first day

The second session concerned the conditions for SMEs and their contribution to marine biotechnology. In addition to overview of the situation in Europe, presented by Torger Børresen, ERA-MBT, focus was on developments in Germany and France, where Heinrich Cuypers, Scanbalt, Germany, and Jean Paul Cadoret, Greensea, France, respectively presented their views. A presentation by Michael Morrissey, Oregon State University Food Innovation Center, gave an overview on marine biotechnology activities on the West coast of USA, and another presentation by David Green, Center for Marine Sciences & Technology, North Carolina State University, gave a similar overview on marine biotechnology on the East coast of USA. Special attention in this session was paid to the development of algae cultures and how new products could be developed from macroalgae.

 

The two sessions concluded the first day of the conference. The second day was entirely devoted to marine biotechnology in Polynesia, chaired by Cécile Debitus, IRD, French Polynesia, where a range of interesting presentations were given on the possibilities for exploiting marine resources in this part of the Pacific Ocean. The presentations ranged from culturing of oysters for pearl production to exciting discoveries in microorganisms and sponges. The conference was concluded with presentations on the prospective and future for marine biotechnology. Further information and presentations can be found on the website.