More than 100 food producers from around the country will flock to the Ulladulla Civic Centre for the three-day conference that will address a range of global food issues, including the slippery issue of commercial fishing.

Ulladulla has a long fishing history, with Aboriginals featured fishing at the harbour in a sketch drawn in 1828.

Slow Food Shoalhaven president Rosie Cupitt said many early pioneers of the area were fishermen, with trawler operators from the Greco, Puglisi, Salafia, Canon, Costa, Lavalle and Dunn families forming the Ulladulla Fisherman’s Co-operative in March 1956.

She said the conference venue, opposite the harbour, was the ideal location to talk about Slow Fishing.

“Slow Food’s international Slow Fish campaign promotes small-scale fishing and responsible fish consumption, working to inform people about the richness and fragility of the marine world so that consumers can make more informed choices and widen their choices beyond the most popular - and often overfished - species,” Rosie said.

“The campaign invites consumers, chefs, academics and fishers to find local solutions that support better management of the sea's resources.”

Rosie said Slow Food believes small-scale fishers form an essential part of fragile aquatic ecosystems that must be protected along with the biodiversity of marine species.

“Slow Food promotes artisanal fishing and works to inspire reflection on the state and management of the sea's resources.”

Participating in the Slow Fish discussions will be some of Australia’s leading industry professionals including Mollymook academic and marine systems ecologis, Doctor Pia Winberg, Founder and Chief Scientist of Venus Shell Systems, who will talk about Bio Food for the Shoalhaven.

“Pia’s main research interest is in marine food production systems that are sustainably integrated with the coastal and marine environment and her published research efforts span aquaculture and sustainable estuarine systems,” Rosie said.

Joining Pia will be farmer, cook and television presenter Matthew Evans who will speak on sustainable fishing and food labelling for fish.

A celebratory Slow Fish Dinner will be held at Rick Stein at Bannisters where Matthew will talk on sustainable fish choices for Australia and Narooma oyster farmer David Maidment will discuss the Angasi Oyster.

“David has a post graduate diploma of Aquaculture, is a Churchill Fellow and has been heavily involved in the oyster industry over the years, reintroducing the Ostrea angasi flat oysters to NSW,” Rosie said.

The conference will be held from August 20-23.