By Kim Bo-eun

Busan has beaten rival international cities to host the World Fisheries Congress in 2016, the world’s largest gathering in the fisheries industry.

The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science said Wednesday that the nation’s largest port city was picked to host the event through a vote at the 2012 World Fisheries Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland.

“Hosting the congress will provide an opportunity for Korea to boost its status in terms of aquatic science and technology, as well as advance in academic exchanges and enhance technology,” said Nam Taek-jeong, president of the society.

Other cities in the running included Anchorage in the United States, Adelaide in Australia, and Johannesburg in South Africa.

“The voters recognized Busan as a center of fisheries and a must-visit city by those in the field. It was decided the best city to host the convention,” Nam said.

The 2016 congress will hold discussions on international cooperation in the preservation and management of fishery resources, sustainable development and utilization of resources. The congress takes place every four years.

About 2,000 experts from 75 countries participated in this year’s congress with Britain’s Prince Charles in attendance.

The 2016 Congress will be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in Haeundae.

During the recent event in Edinburgh, Busan City, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Busan Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and BEXCO organized a joint team to promote Busan as the next host.