The Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, together with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in cooperation with the European Commission, are pleased to organize the Regional Aquaculture Conference: "Blue Growth in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: developing sustainable aquaculture for food security". The Conference will be held in Bari (Italy) on 9–11 December 2014.

This event will address sustainable aquaculture development under the Blue Growth perspective with a view to fostering socioeconomic growth and food security in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Download the brochure: En ǀ Fr

WHY A REGIONAL CONFERENCE?

Aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region has grown significantly in recent years, especially in certain subregions. Aquaculture offers great potential to provide important sources of healthy and nutritious seafood and meet the rising demand for fishery products while fostering economic growth. However, it is characterized by varying levels and stages of development, as well as by greatly differing features among the different countries. This is one of the reasons why the sector now faces major challenges.

The development of aquaculture inevitably raises concerns in terms of sustainability, governance, economic, environmental and social dimensions. At a time when this promising and fast-growing sector is at a crossroads and priorities are no longer a matter of single countries, there is a need to make substantial progress towards harmonious growth at the regional level.

There is a growing awareness in the region that, in addition to participatory approaches, dialogue and consultation, knowledge-sharing and cooperation, there is a need to take concrete action at the policy level in order to obtain a clear commitment to support the sustainable development of the sector, while fully bearing in mind the current regional and local priorities.

For many years, aquaculture actors and stakeholders in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have been calling upon governments to commit to ensuring coordinated and sustainable aquaculture development, and the organisation of a regional event has long been on the agenda of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).

Now is the time to take action and seize the momentum created by the Italian Presidency of the European Union uniting all the efforts in the region in order to give this sector the attention it deserves.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the conference is to take stock of the progress made by aquaculture in the region and to address the main governance, economic, social and environmental challenges for its sustainable development. It aims to renew political commitment among all actors concerned towards sustainable aquaculture development in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The regional conference will offer an important opportunity for experts and stakeholders from different countries to share their experiences, discuss challenges ahead and explore potential synergies and cooperation opportunities. At the same time, there is great will to mobilize political commitment towards a common strategy for aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea based upon a Blue Growth approach and taking into account the main governance, economic, social and environmental aspects of aquaculture sustainability.

Discussions will focus on aspects such as:

• how aquaculture contributes to economic development, employment, growth and food security, taking into account human health and quality of aquaculture products;
• strengthening governance through a participatory and multi-stakeholders approach;
• concerted strategies and multilateral actions to support sustainable aquaculture development while bearing in mind emerging issues and challenges at the regional level;
• enhancing cooperation within a Blue Growth and ecosystem approach, taking into account the specific needs of each country and subregion.

Programme

The Regional Conference comprises a two-day technical event with panel discussions followed by a one-day High-level Conference.

Discussions will focus on crucial issues pertaining to governance, environmental and biosecurity risk management, as well as markets for aquaculture products and innovation. A final Declaration identifying the main priorities and commitments to support sustainable aquaculture development in the region is to be adopted at the end of the event.

EXPERT PANELS

9 December 2014

• Opening
• Panel 1: Enabling good governance in aquaculture (En ǀ Fr)
• Panel 2: A healthy environment, a stronger aquaculture industry (En ǀ Fr)

Side events: Case studies (Panel 1-2)

10 December 2014

• Panel 3: Boosting markets for aquaculture (En ǀ Fr)
• Panel 4: Advancing aquaculture innovations (En ǀ Fr)
• Closing

Side events: Case studies (Panel 3-4)

Working languages: English, French, Italian

HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE

The High-level Conference will provide a suitable forum to government delegates and authorities to express their views on the main issues at stake, and to learn about the findings and conclusions of the panel discussions. The Conference will conclude with the adoption of a final Declaration identifying the main priorities and commitments to support sustainable aquaculture development in the region.

11 December 2014

• Official opening
• Synthesis and conclusions of panels
• Statements by participating countries
• Statements by stakeholder representatives
• Presentation and adoption of the Bari Declaration
• Official closing

Working languages: English, French, Italian

Download the Conference Programme En ǀ Fr (v.2 - Dec. 2014)

Side events Programme (v.1 - Dec. 2014)

The Conference Coordinating Committee is responsible for the technical supervision is composed of:

• Mr François René - President, GFCM Committee on Aquaculture
• Mr Fabio Massa - Senior Aquaculture Officer, FAO GFCM
• Ms Giovanna Marino - Aquaculture Expert, Ministero delle politiche agricole alimentari e forestali, Italy
• Ms Anna Zito - Aquaculture Policy Officer, DG MARE, European Commission
• Mr Uwe Barg - Aquaculture Officer, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Use and Conservation Division
• Mr Alessandro Lovatelli - Aquaculture Officer, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Use and Conservation Division
• Mr Blaise Kuemlangan - Chief, FAO Development Law Service

Download the Conclusions in PDF (En-Fr)

PANELS' PROSPECTUS

Panel 1 Prospectus: Enabling good governance in aquaculture (En ǀ Fr)

Panel 2 Prospectus: A healthy environment, a stronger aquaculture industry (En ǀ Fr)

Panel 3 Prospectus: Boosting markets for aquaculture  (En ǀ Fr)

Panel 4 Prospectus: Advancing aquaculture innovations (En ǀ Fr)

POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS

PANEL

Panel 1: Enabling good governance in aquaculture

Panel 2: A healthy environment, a stronger aquaculture industry

Panel 3: Boosting markets for aquaculture

Panel 4: Advancing aquaculture innovations

SIDE EVENTS

Marine aquaculture sector strategy and best management practices in Egypt - Fathy M.O., Ceccarelli R., Elaraby M., Germano R., Pizzonia G., Moretti S., Spano A., Ugolini R. and Verginelli G. 

Institutional capacity-building and human resources development - Fathy M.O., Elaraby M., Spano A., Totagiancaspro N., Notarangelo M. and Ugolini R.

Improving land-based aquaculture development and environmental protection using integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) in earthen ponds - Cunha M.E., Quental-Ferreira H., Soares F., Matias D., Joaquim S., Ribeiro L. and Pousão-Ferreira P.

Management and valorisation of Mediterranean mussel culture by-products - Thibaut J.J. and Tarbouriech F.

Exploring the biological and socioeconomic potential of new/emerging candidate fish species for the expansion of the European aquaculture industry (DIVERSIFY) - Corriero A., Mylonas C.C. and Robles R.

Marine hatchery construction in Egypt: the Italian system action - Fathy M.O., Elaraby M., Spano A., Totagiancaspro N., Notarangelo M., Santamaria F. and Ugolini R.

The Italo-Egyptian cooperation: seabass and seabream fingerlings production - Fathy M.O., Elaraby M., Spano A. and Ugolini R.

Innovation technologies in Mediterranean oyster culture - Thibaut J.J. and Tarbouriech F.

EUROFISH GFCM BROCHURE

Aquaculture highlights from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

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