- For 10 years, Aquaculture Day has been celebrated in Spain, with the programming of different activities throughout the Spanish territory related to production, science and gastronomy
- The Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA), coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation, commemorates its 20th anniversary, coinciding with the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 30, 2022- Our society faces immense challenges in the way we relate to nature, which involve the promotion of the ecological transition in all areas, including our lifestyle and consumption habits. Sustainable food is one of the ways in which we can contribute to this social transformation and consumption model. In this context and in that of the promotion of the blue economy based on innovation and sustainability, the celebration of Aquaculture Day on 30 November is framed. This day is consolidated in its tenth celebration as a date to share with society the role that aquaculture plays and is called to play and its benefits from the social, environmental and economic perspective. This activity is an important source of employment and a valuable engine of economic development, which allows the production of quality food in tune with the environment and a low environmental impact in a growing number of places in our geography, both coastal and inland, and can also contribute to the fight against depopulation. As indicated in the latest report of the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (APROMAR), “Aquaculture in Spain” (2021), the success of modern aquaculture is based on the proper management of the biology of farmed species, the introduction of technological innovations, the development of specific foods and business organization. Spain has an exceptional environment for the development of aquaculture. The heterogeneity of our production is due both to the national orography and to the geographical and climatic diversity of the territory. In fact, as indicated by the latest data provided by the National Advisory Board on Marine Farming (JACUMAR), in 2021 the commercial marine aquaculture production of our country was more than 310,000 tonnes, mainly distributed among several species: fish, crustaceans, molluscs, annelids and algae. A production that meant the income of 565 million euros in turnover. 2022 has been declared the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries. Under the slogan “small scale, big value”, the United Nations General Assembly wanted to point out how fishers, fish farmers and small-scale fish workers can positively change the global food system. Today’s food sector requires a change in its planning to provide healthy food to a growing population, which already exceeds 8,000 million people, without putting the planet’s natural resources at risk. Faced with this challenge, aquaculture products play a fundamental role because they have the capacity to produce more food, reducing the environmental impact. From the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge we support the aquaculture sector in its commitment to contribute to the promotion of a food model with a positive impact on consumers, society and the economy through collaboration between agents, support for the aquaculture sector through the Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA) and innovative environmental projects through the Pleamar Programme. co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Thanks to this programme we have collaborated, in the period 2014-2020, with a total of 211 projects, of which 40 have been innovation, advice and promotion of networking in aquaculture. All the information on these initiatives can be found on the website www.programapleamar.es
CELEBRATION OF AQUACULTURE DAY 2022
In 2012, the Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA) of the Biodiversity Foundation, in coordination with the Spanish Aquaculture Society (SEA) and other associations and entities in the sector, promoted the celebration of Aquaculture Day, an ideal date to spread the word that aquaculture is a modern and consolidated activity in our country, key to the promotion of the blue economy and employment in many rural and coastal areas of our country. This 2022, eleven activities have been scheduled, in different parts of our geography, so that all audiences can enjoy scientific, informative, recreational and gastronomic activities linked to aquaculture. Since its creation in 2002, OESA has promoted the sustainability of aquaculture in Spain, reinforcing its image in society, supporting the execution of research projects, promoting technological development, promoting knowledge transfer and international cooperation, all in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
ABOUT OESA
The Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA) is an initiative coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge that serves as a platform for monitoring and analysing the development of aquaculture in Spain, promoting its sustainability, strengthening its image among society, supporting the implementation of research projects, technological development and especially environmental innovation, promoting knowledge transfer and supporting international cooperation.
