More than fifty participants met today to present the results of the projects carried out in the Networks axis for the fisheries and aquaculture sector of the Pleamar Programme. Held in a hybrid format at the headquarters of the Biodiversity Foundation, and also in an online format, the meeting also allowed the sharing and exchange of knowledge in the field of environmental preservation and sustainability through the development and promotion of work networks.

More than fifty participants met today to present the results of the projects carried out in the Networks for the Transport Sector axis fishing and aquaculture of the Pleamar Program. Held in a hybrid format at the headquarters of the Biodiversity Foundation, and also in a hybrid format  The meeting has also allowed the sharing and exchange of knowledge in the field of environmental preservation and sustainability through the development and promotion of work networks.

Javier Remiro, coordinator of the Blue Economy and Employment area of the Biodiversity Foundation, has been in charge of welcoming and introducing the speakers of the projects presented.

ENVAPES, the FEDEPESCA project, has made it possible to create a national network to know and share the current state of packaging linked to the fishing sector, through a complete study on materials, uses and management in our country, as well as the biodegradable alternatives currently available. Among the conclusions of the study, shared by Francisco Lahoz, from FEDEPESCA’s Department of Quality and Food Safety, is the commitment to eco-design and the creation of biodegradable and compostable packaging to reduce its environmental impact. Lahoz stressed that the guide developed within the framework of the project will be expanded with the new waste legislation, recently published.

 María Caldeiro, manager of FUNDAMAR, summarized the two editions of the project REDMAR, started in 2013, to promote the employability of women on fishing vessels and real equal opportunities. The REDMAR Network has been consolidated, expanding women’s boarding experiences and promoting training and employability with a gender perspective. Specifically, FUNDAMAR has created a specific platform for access to employment focused on candidates and companies, “the Linkedin of the sea”, Caldeiro stressed.

 Nadia Moalla, head of Projects and Innovation at CEPESCA, explained the results of the network PESCONECT, which connects the fisheries and science sector for greater fisheries sustainability through training and knowledge sharing. Among them, he highlighted the demonstration project in which IEO, a partner entity of the project, trained purse seine fishermen for self-sampling and data analysis to evaluate fish stock and other indicators such as environmental conditions or the state of marine litter. Moalla also commented that CEPESCA will participate in the European SEAwise project based on the work carried out in PESCONECT.

Pablo Pita, from the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), explained the project GT PMR (Working Group on Recreational Sea Fishing in Spain), a network that has been running for more than two years and currently has a hundred members. Thanks to the creation of this network, it has been possible to carry out a first analysis of the current state of PMR in Spain, with conclusions on the lack of a systematic collection of recreational fishing catches or the difficulties in the management of licenses, relevant aspects in the face of the requirements of European regulations. Pita presented some of the strategies proposed to improve administrative management, scientific methodology and procedures or the promotion of the participation and association of recreational fishermen. The project has incorporated a gender perspective study in the sector and specific actions have been proposed to boost their participation and visibility.

From the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Beatriz Ríos, from the Oceanographic Center of the Balearic Islands, explained the development of the REDACUICULTURAPLASTIC, a project that began its work to collect information on plastic waste and gear produced by the aquaculture sector, detecting the main existing obstacles. From this first diagnostic work, the network has established proposals and improvements to reduce this problem in facilities and production processes, as well as from administration and research.

 Ana Muniesa, from the Department of Animal Pathology at the University of Zaragoza, explained the development of ARISA, in which the health status of the aquaculture sector in Spain and the methodologies for analysis and identification of different indicators and parameters have been analysed. He also highlighted the relevance of the SWOT analysis as a reflection of the activity carried out in the project, transferred to a document with the results and proposals for improvement for the collection and analysis of the health situation of aquaculture activity.

REDAQUA is the project led by the Acuiplus Cluster, presented by Carlota Barañano, from the cluster’s Technical Secretariat. REDAQUA has made it possible to establish a connection and coordination between R+D+i entities and companies in the aquaculture sector, as well as to identify mismatches between market demand and training programmes. To this end, various actions were carried out, such as the creation of the REDAQUA Observatory for the management of knowledge on the labour market and training, as well as financing and cooperation. Barañano also commented on the planned scaling up of the REDAQUA project at the European level.

Likewise, the results of the AQUAHUB and AQUAHUB OFF-SHORE projects can be consulted at this link, in which Garazi Rodríguez, head of APROMAR’s Production and Marketing Plans, has explained their development.