Scottish gill health conference postponed because of coronavirus
An international conference on salmon gill health that was due to take place in Scotland next month has been postponed because of the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Gill Health Initiative (GHI2020) was due to be held at the Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling on April 1-2.
In a statement today, the GHI2020 Steering Committee said it had regretfully decided to postpone the event.
Travel bans
“In the last few days, several of the organisations and businesses due to take part in GHI2020 have introduced bans on non-essential travel,” said the committee.
“Given the international nature of the event and the rapid developments in the spread of the Coronavirus/COVID-19, we believe postponing the event is the right thing to do.”
The organisers said that if delegates had already booked travel and accommodation, they were now encouraged to cancel your arrangements and seek refunds where appropriate.
New dates
“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, although we would like to emphasise that the GHI2020 Steering Committee cannot be held liable for any costs incurred as a result of these cancellations,” said the statement.
“It is disappointing to have to postpone this much-anticipated event, but we will be in touch in due course with new dates for GHI2020. We thank you for your understanding and hope we can all gather later in the year to help advance the cause of good gill health.”
The Gill Health Initiative (GHI) has been running since 2012, when it was formed to bring together industry and researchers.
It aims are to focus on key gill disease research areas and the sharing of field-based farm management practices, promotion of exchange between researchers and industry for faster information sharing, and the streamlining of research efforts across Norway, Scotland, Ireland and Australia.
GHI2020 is sponsored by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF).
Seafood Norway conference cancelled
The board of directors of Seafood Norway has also decided to cancel its annual conference in Bodø. Over 400 participants were expected at the event on March 31.
“Due to the danger of infection associated with the coronavirus, we see the need to cancel the event,” chief executive Geir Ove Ystmark said in a press release.
“Of course, it is unfortunate that we cannot carry out our most important event during the year. Our event brings together leaders and key players throughout the seafood industry. It goes without saying that we cannot expose the entire industry to such a risk.”
Seafood Norway will carry out its annual general meeting digitally, which means that no physical attendance is required.
