Every June 25, Seafarers’ Day is celebrated, proclaimed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010 in order to recognize the valuable work of those who work at sea and their contribution to the global economy, maritime trade, safety of navigation and, increasingly, to the protection of the marine environment and biodiversity.

This year’s slogan, “My ship free from harassment”, sends a clear message about the need to move towards safer and more inclusive maritime environments, fostering a culture of respect and tolerance.

The concept of “seafarers” encompasses crew members, fishermen, technical personnel, researchers, netters, rescue teams and many others whose work is essential both on the high seas and on the coast. In fact, the UN estimates that more than 3 billion people today depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods, and around 40 million are expected to work in ocean-related activities by 2030. This direct link with the marine environment makes this group a key agent for the sustainability of the ocean.

Likewise, the work of seafarers is framed in an international context that is increasingly committed to the health of the ocean. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the treaty on marine biodiversity in the high seas , and the Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030) coordinated by UNESCO, are some of the recent milestones that reinforce global commitments in the protection of marine ecosystems.

In the case of Spain, one of the countries with the greatest marine biological diversity in Europe – with nearly 14,000 species identified – work continues on the designation of Marine Protected Areas, the development of the marine Natura 2000 Network and the improvement of knowledge of the marine environment through instruments such as the Spanish Inventory of Marine Habitats and Species or the Catalogue of Threatened Species. A comprehensive approach that seeks to ensure a resilient, productive and well-managed ocean.

In this context, the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge coordinates the Pleamar Programme, with the aim of strengthening collaboration in the execution of triple helix projects in the maritime field, represented by the scientific field, the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the environmental aspect.

A total of 3,221 people have participated in the implementation of the nearly 200 projects of the Pleamar Programme, co-financed with FEMP and FEMPA funds (1,042 are women, almost 45%, and 2,179 men, 55%), since the selection criteria for the projects take into account and promote equality between women and men in employment and occupation, the generalization of gender consideration and the integration of the gender perspective in their actions.

It is worth highlighting the REDMAR project, where the first employment platform for women graduates in fishing, shipowners, and other entities in the fishing sector has been launched and has provided tools to educate and train from an egalitarian perspective to the maritime-fishing training centers that are part of this network.

In addition, a new call for subsidies from the Pleamar Programme is currently open, which seeks to promote the blue economy and strengthen the sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture sector through innovative and collaborative projects. A call for grants, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is also open to support the conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity.

On the other hand, the fishing sector is also a fundamental piece to successfully carry out the actions of the LIFE ECOREST project, in which the Biodiversity Foundation participates as a partner together with the Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds of Girona, under the coordination of the Institute of Sea Sciences (ICM-CSIC). The aim is to restore nearly 30,000 hectares of deep marine habitats in Catalonia in an area of high ecological value along the coast of Girona and Barcelona, with the active participation of the fishing sector.

Among the actions carried out are oceanographic campaigns and conservation tasks for gorgonians, corals, sponges and other structuring sessile organisms. Fishermen participate in active restoration work, a process that consists of rescuing organisms that are accidentally trapped in the nets, recovering them in aquariums installed in the guilds, and then returning them to the sea.

Thanks to the coordinated work between the scientific team of the ICM-CSIC, the University of Barcelona and fishing professionals, more than 6,000 organisms have been reintroduced into the restoration areas. There are 47 participating boats from various brotherhoods.