Dear Sir/ Madam,

European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP) has shown a great honor entrusting us the role of the local organizer for the upcoming 17th International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish. The Association, being of a unique character in the Europe, has a goal to promote and exchange the knowledge on fish and shellfish diseases, as well as aid to the coordination of the research in the field of ichthyopathology. Research of diseases characteristic for aquaculture has been especially accentuated by the Association. Aquaculture as a cultivation of organisms in the aquatic environment today is an industry showing exceptional growth at the World level, since it is believed that in a decade, more than half of the food coming from the sea will be from aquaculture. Spain has excellent conditions and already a long tradition in aquaculture. In respect to this, it is obvious that a conference on fish and shellfish diseases that attracts top national and World acknowledged scientists in the field, would add value to comprehension of pathogen emergent, spread as well as prophylaxis and therapy of fish diseases. Such conditions would enable free transfer of cutting-edge knowledge on ichthyopathology between Spain and the World.

The Local Organizer, Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was established by the Government of the Canary Islands in 2002. The purpose for which the Institute is created is "to serve as a useful tool to society and become a leader in animal health and food safety," not only in the Canary Islands, but also in the rest of our country and the world. Our strategic, geographical and cultural situation, and the events we are living in the dissemination of disease, onset of new health problems in the world, large areas of poverty and mass migration from these same areas, allow us to open, from Europe, comprehensive lines of collaboration with countries in Africa and Central and South America, allowing cultural and health development in those same areas. In addition, the geographical situation has made us look at the sea as a source of food and aquaculture is an activity boom in our environment so inside you'll institute studying pathologies like everything related to aquaculture is one of the pillars of our institution.

The 17th International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish will be held in Alfredo Krauss Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, from 7 to 11 September 2015. Scientific and technical sessions consisting of poster presentations, invited talks, keynotes, oral presentations, workshops and an EAFP General Assembly will take place during the Conference.

Planned social events include a Welcome Cocktail, Civic Reception and the traditional Conference Banquet.

Top national and World scientists will be invited to the conference, as well as principal investigators of significant international projects, representatives of small and medium size fish and shellfish producers. Indirect conference goals are the establishment of new international contacts and initiatives, institutional linking, strengthening of collaboration between scientific, professional and producing sector, and development of interdisciplinary research activities in the frame of international collaboration, intended to induce and speed up the development of research capacities and open new perspectives in the field of aquaculture resources research.

Based on this introduction of the Conference character, we would greatly appreciate if you could in accordance with your possibilities and available resources, help in the financial terms organization of the conference. For Your information, in attachment you can find total cost estimation of the Conference, first announcement and the list of sponsorships and advertising opportunities during our Conference. In order to answer in more details your questions, please feel free to contact us on below addresses:

Félix Acosta
facosta@dpat.ulpgc.es
Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal
Trasmontaña s/n
35413, Arucas, Spain
+34 928 45 97 40 – 41
or
Juan Carlos García
EAFP Technical Secretariat
eafp2015@barcelocongresos.com
Barceló Congresos
Gonzalo de Bilbao, 23
41003 Sevilla, Spain
Telf. +34 954 22 40 95

Very best wishes, 
Local organizer: Prof. Dr. Sc. Fernando Real 
Director of the Institute: DVM Prof. Dr. Sc. Antonio Fernández