Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has been awarded the right to host the next International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF XXII) in Darwin in May 2026.

This international conference represents an opportunity to showcase the nation’s $2 billion national aquaculture industry to the world.

CSIRO Research Scientist Dr Cedric Simon, who led the bid to host the event, said bringing the conference to Darwin would showcase CSIRO and other organisations’ aquaculture nutrition expertise and solutions in a region where the industry is growing rapidly.

“CSIRO looks forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to share the latest research and innovations in aquatic animal nutrition and feeding,” Dr Simon said.

“Choosing Darwin as the host city gives us an opportunity to highlight Australia’s tropical aquaculture industry, which includes iconic barramundi and prawn species, and newer candidates like tropical oysters, groupers, black jewfish, and spiny lobsters.”

The conference will provide a unique platform for the international science community to engage with local aquaculture stakeholders, with Darwin serving as a convenient gateway to South-East Asia, a hub of major aquaculture activity.

CSIRO is supporting the development of aquaculture industries in Northern Australia, undertaking research in collaboration with industry partners to understand nutritional demands and sustainable feedstocks for a range of aquatic species.

The successful bid was supported by the Darwin Convention Centre and Northern Territory Business Events and was announced during last year’s conference in Mexico.

The conference will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre from 18 to 21 May 2026.