The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is providing instructors and logistical assistance for the one-week specialised course on methodologies for observers on board with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) with the collaboration of the University of Alicante, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography of the National Research Council (CSIC) and the Spanish Ministry of Defense. 

Nets at Ebro Delta. ©GFCM/Ainhoa Goma

The course is expected to host a maximum of 25 trainees holding university degrees (in biology, marine sciences, fisheries engineering or related specialties) from fisheries research or training institutions within Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.   

The students will have the rare opportunity to be taught by eight recognized experts in the field and gain a comprehensive insight into the methodology of catch composition sampling, learn about the mechanics of fishing operations, the functioning of fishing gear and much more. 

Theoretical and practical sessions will be held on the Vessel Intermares, docked in the port of Alicante and equipped with classrooms and laboratories, giving students the chance to experience observation on board. 

 Blue Crab at Ebro Delta. ©GFCM/Ainhoa Goma

The course, lasting one week full-time, will run from the 26th to the 30th of September in Spanish and from the 3rd to the 7th of October in French. 

The scientific coordination of the course will be ensured by Julio Valeiras, a researcher at the Vigo Oceanographic Center of the CSIC-IEO, with the collaboration of Professor José Luis Sánchez Lizaso from the University of Alicante.

For more information and to view the full programme please visit the CIHEAM Zaragoza website: French / Spanish