MedReAct urged 'MedFish4Ever' to take concrete steps to recover Mediterranean fish stocks and habitats

October 2, 2023 - Ministers from Mediterranean States will convene in Malta on October 4th to review the progress made in achieving the goals set forth in the MedFish4Ever Declaration adopted in 2017. The meeting comes as the Mediterranean region approaches the five-year mark since the declaration's adoption.

In 2017, in response to the alarming decline of fish stocks and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the European Union (EU) united fisheries decision-makers from the region in Malta. The objective was to define a comprehensive set of objectives and specific actions aimed at enhancing the management and governance of Mediterranean fisheries. The ultimate goal was to ensure the long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability of Mediterranean fisheries. This initiative resulted in the signing of the MedFish4Ever Declaration, which outlined five key objectives.

While progress has been achieved in several areas, such as fisheries data collection, combating illegal fishing, and implementing management plans for various species, there remains a significant gap in expanding the network of Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs).

Only one FRA proposal has been implemented in the Adriatic Sea since 2018, despite several submissions and examinations by the GFCM. With the exception of the deep-water trawl ban, currently FRAs protect less than 1 percent of the Mediterranean Sea, falling significantly short of the 20 percent protection target set by the Malta Declaration.

A recent study conducted by the Spanish Institute of Marine Science and Ecopath International on prioritising FRAs in the Western Mediterranean underscores the importance of strengthening these areas to enhance biodiversity, resilience and climate change adaptation.

The study identifies eight priority areas, including the Gulf of Lion and the Ebro Delta, where proposals for FRA establishment and strengthening have been under discussion since 2019. Implementation of these proposals, along with extending the deep-waters trawl ban to 800 or 600 meters depth, could protect approximately 10 percent of priority areas.

Despite efforts, the Mediterranean remains one of the most overfished seas globally, with ecosystems facing severe threats. The GFCM MedFish4Ever High-level Conference provides a vital opportunity to translate commitments into tangible actions, with a focus on expanding the FRA network at the upcoming GFCM annual session in November in Split.

"Preserving the richness of the Mediterranean requires more than words, it demands concrete actions. As we gather at MedFish4Ever let's turn ambition into achievement, expanding the network of Restricted Fishing Areas. Together, we can ensure a future for both our ocean and the communities that depend on it" stated Domitilla Senni, Director of MedReAct.

The Aquaculturists

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Gael Force graduate scoops Young Employee of the Year Award

October 2, 2023 - Gael Force Group's Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Jacques Huysamer (23), is celebrating winning the prestigious Young Employee of the Year at the annual Highland Business Awards held in Inverness.

Jacques was shortlisted from tough competition, going on to lift the award at the event held on Friday 29th September at the Kingsmills Hotel and organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce.

Jacques joined Gael Force one year ago following the completion of his studies - a BEng in Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University. A Campbeltown native, Jacques took a leap of faith by flying solo and upping sticks 200 miles north to base himself at Gael Force's Inverness Head office. He forms part of the business' experienced and highly skilled technical development team.

Since joining, he has been involved in the next-generation design of the SeaSight aquaculture camera double winch and he has also partnered with the Technical Development Manager to oversee the destructive testing go the new SeaQureLink Ultra mooring ring component for supporting safer, more secure offshore fish farming.

Furthermore, he has been developing a cabling system for a net winch system which will provide customers with a safer cable installation inside their sea farm pens.

Commenting on the win, Jacques Huysamer said:

"Hitting my first-year anniversary at Gael Force Group on the same week as the Highland Business Awards has been capped off by winning the award! I am grateful for all of the personal development opportunities that the technical environment at Gael Force has given me. Being shortlisted for the award in the first instance was as much a reflection on the experienced team around me, so it is a proud moment for us all."

Commenting, Gael Force Group's People Development Manager, Claire Barnett said:

"We are immensely proud of what Jacques has achieved in his relatively short time with Gael Force. Jacques has brought a new dynamic and skillset and he has been a model graduate employee, developing at pace with a can-do attitude, commitment, versatility and with great fortitude. As a business we are highly motivated to encourage the growth of young people within our business through mentorship, real-life projects, reward and recognition."

Gael Force Group's graduate employee scheme offers newly qualified, skilled individuals the chance to develop a rewarding career in the aquaculture and marine sectors, with the full support of a team of senior colleagues and mentors.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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AquaFarm 2024: new layout and logo, up-to-date topics, same high-level contents and business opportunities

October 2, 2023 - The 7th edition of the event dedicated to the aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry is scheduled February 2024, 14-15 at pordenone exhibition centre.

AquaFarm, the Italian international conference and trade show on aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry announces the dates of the seventh edition by introducing a new logo which, in addition to the fish, features a mussel as evidence of the wide world of shellfish farming. The event will take place on 14th and 15th February 2024 in Pordenone, Italy.

After the pandemic crisis, which had a negative impact on the purchase of seafood products, the agri-food sector is faced with other problems. The aggravation of climatic events, rising temperatures and long periods of dry weather are changing the habitats in which aquatic species live, with major impacts on breeding farming in both sea, salty fish and fresh waters. "The effects of climate change and the ecological transition are the new challenges facing our industry" says Pierantonio Salvador, President of the Italian Fish Farmers Association "All operators are ready, it is, as always, a matter of networking and AquaFarm is an unmissable meeting place."

Climate change is also one of the causes of the increase in blue crab in our seas, which has reached +2000 percent in some areas. Damage to shellfish production has been extensive: over 50 percent in Italy's north-east cost, specifically in Veneto and Emilia-Romagna areas. "AquaFarm represents an opportunity to highlight the urgency of anticipating the effects of change - states Luigino Pela, President of the Mediterranean Aquaculture Association - a match in which research plays a crucial role."

The seventh edition will therefore be focused on climate, research and innovation, but also on sustainability certification, animal welfare, technologies and animal and human nutrition. The rich conference programme will flank the international exhibition area, the largest ever thanks to the use of the new Halls 5 BIS/TER launched at the beginning of September. The area dedicated to universities is confirmed as weel, including the possibility to exhibit scientific posters; finally, the show cooking Arena, where national production excellences could be tasted, will be placed in Hall 5 again, as per last edition. 

"We really care about AquaFarm as it is one of the events that represent the future of Pordenone Fiere, Internationally, high expertise and scientific approach - states Renato Pujatti, President of Pordenone Fire - thanks to these features, we are convinced that the companies attending the exhibition will have an opportunity to grow their businesses and there will be important economic spin-offs for the local area."

AquaFarm is an international conference and trade show on aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry, organised by Pordenone Fiere in cooperation with API - Italian Fish Farmers Association, AMA - Mediterranean Aquaculture Association and Studio comelli - Conferences & Communication which takes care of the conference programme and the press office. The event was first held in 2017 and during last edition recorded 62 percent growth compared to 2022 and +25 percent if compared to the last pre-covid edition, 130 exhibits, 35 percent from abroad and almost 7000 sq m of exhibition area. Attendance is free of charge, resister HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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