Closing remarks by Mike Rust, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA, at the Webinar on Management of Artemia Resources of the Great Salt Lake, Utah USA.

The webinar, held on 4 May 2022, was necessitated by the fact that Artemia production has been ongoing on the continent for more than four decades, similar to Asia, but without any distinctive levels of success. The world demand for Artemia cysts has continued to increase and annual consumption is now estimated at 3,500 – 4,000 tonnes with Asia being the largest producer and consumer globally while Africa lags behind in both production and utilisation, despite Artemia having been introduced on the two continents at the same time. Diverse levels of Artemia activities in different African countries were presented, to take stock of where the continent is, explore opportunities and address the various challenges impeding the production and utilisation of Artemia for improved livelihoods and overall aquaculture development in Africa. A report and video recordings of the presentations are available.

Presentation by Prof. Patrick Sorgeloos, Ghent University, at the SDG-aligned Artemia Aquaculture Workshop, 22 September 2021.

Presentation by Thomas Bosteels, Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Cooperative, at the SDG-aligned Artemia Aquaculture Workshop held 22 September 2021.

Presentation by Gonzalo Gajardo, Los Lagos University, Chile, at the SDG-aligned Artemia Aquaculture Workshop, 22 September 2021.

With the expansion of hatchery production, the demand for Artemia cysts has continued to increase. Annual consumption is now estimated at 3,500 – 4,000 tonnes, underpinning the production of over 900 billion crustacean post larvae and fish fry by a hatchery industry valued at more than USD 2 billion and the final production of over 10 million tonnes of high-value aquaculture species. With approximately 90 percent of the current Artemia production harvested from inland salt lakes, the future of the hatchery industry could be at risk and requires urgent attention. The workshop explored needs and opportunities for a new international initiative to guarantee a more sustainable provision of Artemia, both from farmed and natural sources.

To launch the new International Artemia Aquaculture Consortium, led by Patrick Sorgeloos, this conference series brings together professionals working on Artemia from all around the world. This event was a presentation on the world of Artemia for Saxon Bosworth, who was researching Artemia for an article for National Geographic. A video recording of the presentations is enclosed.