KUALA LUMPUR: Seafood should be viewed as the source of food to meet the ever increasing food demand in the future, an official of the Asian Pacific Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society said here on Wednesday.

Roy Palmer, president-elect of the chapter, made this remark at the Asian-Pacific Aquaculture (APA) 2009 and Malaysian International Seafood Exposition (MISE) 2009 here.

Palmer said that oceans and waterways produced the world's most traded food commodity, which was essentially the seafood.

However, he said that no one seemed to talk about the oceans of waterways when it came to finding ways to meet the food demand of the world population estimated to be 9 billion by 2050.

Stressing that the world needed 70 percent more food than it needed now, Palmer said the aquaculture's potential was evidenced by the wild caught fishing at its maximum.

Palmer said that aquaculture was producing about 50 percent of the world's seafood and the region of Asia-Pacific dominated the production with nearly 90 percent in terms of quantity and just under 80 percent in terms of value.

The event from Nov. 3 to 6 will feature 20 sessions ranging aspects in production, breeding and genetics, nutrition and health for some of the marine creatures.

Held in conjunction with the APA 2009 is the MISE 2009, showcasing the seafood industry in Malaysia that is now being transformed into a sustainable industry with food safety and quality foremost considerations.