Group photo during launch of WestMED's Technical Group on Sustainable Touriusm

WestMED makes its mark at the International Sun&Blue Congress 2024 in Almería, Spain

The Sun&Blue Congress, held on November 20, 21 and 22 in Almería, has established itself as an international benchmark in the field of Sustainable Tourism and the Blue Economy, attracting participants and projects from all over Europe and the Mediterranean. This event featured high-impact side events ranging from capacity sessions to hackathons

The WestMED Assistance Mechanism not only empowered quite a few of these sessions, but a promotional stand was also set up right in front of the main auditorium, welcoming a continuous stream of interested visitors.

An international showcase of sustainable initiatives
Within the framework of the congress, several meetings highlighted the European and Mediterranean commitment to sustainable tourism and the ecological and digital transition:

  • An Internal meeting CPMR-Intermediterranean Commission Task Force on Culture and Sustainable Tourism was organized by CPMR-IMC with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior (Junta de Andalucía), through its public enterprise Turismo Andaluz.
  • The second joint Annual Forum of the Interreg Euro-MED Sustainable Tourism Mission with the title ‘Climate Adaptation in Tourism – Building capacity and policy integration,’ was organized by the Sustainable Tourism Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED Program. Stephanie Vella (WestMED Malta), participated in the expert panel whereby the main conclusion was that the Tourism sector should place more efforts towards its Climate change adaptation as there are many topics that may affect or are already affecting its development.
  • The Official launch of the Western Mediterranean Sustainable Tourism Technical Group was organized by WestMED Initiative in a full room with more than 50 people. It also included the participation of Vincent Fravel (DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission), Yasmin Schinas-Romeu (Head of Regional Cooperation and Maritime Safety of the European Commission), as well as members of Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), World Ocean Council (WOC), Ascame, CRPM and Interreg Office. ASCAME, CPRM and WOC are actively involved in this new Technical Group as they are part of the Group’s Advisory Committee. The WOC also took the opportunity to present their upcoming ‘Community of Leadership on Sustainable Tourism within the Mediterranean’ and explored potential synergies with the WestMED Technical Group. This event was moderated by the WestMED National Hubs from Spain (Marta Pascual) and Malta (Stephanie Vella).
  • The first hackathon by WestMED’s newly formed Technical Group on Sustainable Tourism attracted great interest from stakeholders to become involved in project proposal developments and be part of a consortium in order to apply for project funding.  Two proposals were further advanced towards the EMFAF 2024 funding call at this WestMED Hackathon Session. Two other NEW proposals were also mentioned. The WestMED Assistance Mechanism offered their assistance to further help develop these proposals.
  • The Dialogue “Alliance for the Sea” organized by AGAPA (Agency for the management of agriculture and fisheries of Andalusia) was  moderated by Marta Pascual (WestMED Spain). It consisted of a dialogue between Gunter Pauli (creator of the ‘blue economy’ concept) and José Manuel Martínez, the DG of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Junta de Andalucía. During this session, ways were explored in which fisheries can benefit from and be part of Blue Economy developments. The main conclusion was that the Fisheries sector has many opportunities to explore under the Blue Economy Paradigm and were encouraged to do so – whereby the WestMED Assistance Mechanism can help.
  • The final dissemination event of the ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR project was organized by X23-The Innovation Bakery in collaboration with ASCAME (Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce) Celia Murcia (Coordinator of the westMED Assistance Mechanism) participated as panel member of the roundtable where the discussion focused on engaging younger generations, digital tools and sustainable tourism. ECO-CRUISING FU-TOUR is one of the projects supported at the proposal stage by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism. This session provided a platform to consolidate lessons learned from the project and explore the transformations necessary to meet evolving demands in the sector. Central to this transformation is a strong policy commitment to adopting and financing sustainable alternatives. However, the shift cannot rest on policymakers alone; the industry itself must actively embrace change, alongside enhancing the current offerings within the sector. Equally vital is investment in skills development, particularly for younger generations. Training programs must address the growing need for expertise in sustainability, digitalization, and marine conservation. These competencies are essential to building a cruising industry that harmonizes economic growth with environmental stewardship. The participants to this session had the opportunity to experience virtual reality through the technology developed in the project and explore the future options of sustainable cruising.
  • An internal event by the NaTour4CChange Project was organized by Interreg Euro MED with the support of IUCN and Junta de Andalucía
  • An ’employment opportunities’ session was organized by blue-jobs (represented by Celia Murcia) during which job opportunities like Regenerative Tourism Manager, Pesca-tourism Guide, and Marine Environmental Educators were explored, challenges in coastal tourism jobs, including seasonality and sustainability skills gaps were discussed, and strategies were shared for aligning coastal tourism with marine conservation goals.

Financing sustainable blue projects
A final session on the main stage was specifically focused on financing blue projects. This session consisted of three different panel discussions. Marta Pascual (WestMED Spain) kicked off this session by highlighting that there are many financing opportunities to develop sustainable blue project ideas,  that project owners could and should benefit from.

The first panel discussion focused on ‘Blue financing opportunities’ and was moderated by Yasmin Schinasi (Policy Officer for Regional Cooperation and Maritime Security at the European Commission and WestMED project manager on behalf of DG MARE), while Thanos Smanis (WestMED’s central team) took part in the expert panel on ‘Examples and Best Practices in Blue-Financed Projects’ where he explained that with the existing funding opportunities some projects presented during this congress have been able to prosper (such as EU WeMED_Natour, Eco-cruising Fu_tour, PESCATOBAL Association projects). He explained that these projects had received direct support, as an example of how the WestMED Assistance Mechanism helps projects find funding and/ or project partners.

In the final session, Marta Pascual moderated the expert panel on ‘Financing the future.’

Awards
As part of this congress, on the 2nd day, the “Red Nacional de Turismo Marinero“, an initiative supported by WestMED’s Spanish National Hub, received the Sun&Blue Award for the “Best Tourism Cooperation’ initiative 2024.

The Living Ports project (also supported by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism ), managed by the Port Authority of Vigo, received the Sun&Blue Award in the category ‘Best Port Decarbonization.’

With this extensive involvement throughout the event,  the Sun&Blue congress edition proved to be an excellent platform to promote the WestMED Initiative and practical support offered by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism.

(majority of the photos, courtesy of Sun&Blue Congress 2024)

launch of WestMED Technical Group on Sustainable tourism with overview of a full room of people at Sun&Blue 2024

Thonos Smainis at the main stage in expert panel on financiong bl;ue projects at Sun&Blue 2024

Marta Pascual moderaing finance session on the main stage at Sun&Blue 2024

Tourism award at Sun&Blue Congress 2024 for turismo marinero project

aerial from container ship at sea with TG Green shipping logo

Launch of S3 Thematic partnership “Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance” with 26 partners from 3 EU sea basins

Maritime transport and Ports probably represent the core sector, to win the challenge of sustainability of the Blue Economy, considering its impact in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) and jobs creation across the EU and its neighbouriung regions.

Greening the EU maritime transport is therefore pivotal to ‘green’ the EU blue economy at large (including tourism, aquaculture, biotechs, marine renewable energy).

But a green transition for the EU maritime transport sectors requires a common vision to equip ports and fleets in a coherent way, within a network capable to ensure their operativity.

Therefore, within the work of the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping,the strong need emerged to re-configurate the shipbuilding supply chain and create the production capacity to equip the fleets with propulsion systems, using alternative fuels.

Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance
For this reason the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping, the EU Seabasin Assistance Mechanism, promoted by CINEA and DG Mare, have supported a dedicated Smart Specialisation (S3) Thematic Partnership in this area, encountering the interest of the impacted territories where shipbuilding operations are mostly located, and involving different stakeholders – authorities, research and innovation centres, businesses and investors.

 The newly launched S3 Thematic partnership “Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance”, led by Region Liguria, Região capital de Portugal, Region Attica, brings together 26 partners – including Regional Bodies, Businesses, Cluster Organisations, Research & Innovation Centres and Civil Society Organisations – from 5 EU Member states  and 4 non EU partner countries spread across 3 EU Sea basins (Mediterranean Atlantic, Black Sea).

 The initiative, more specifically, aims at:

  • Speeding  up the modernisation and renewal of the supply chains related to the production/refitting of propulsion systems, as well as to the delivery of the fuel, for each type of alternative fuel.
  • Accelerating the replacement/refitting of traditionally propelled fleets to diversify, renew, revitalise the sector across Europe and its neighbourhoods;
  • Fostering the adoption of innovative fiscal and financial schemes, to allow shipowners, shipbuilders and related stakeholders to achieve greater impact and sustainability for their investments.

 

For more information on this Partnership, visit the  S3 Community of Practice page of the European Commission

Salem Miladi presenting at WestMED national event in Tunis on November 4, 2024

WestMED, RebootMED and BlueMissionMED boost sustainable blue economy efforts amongst stakeholders in Tunis

On 4 November 2024, the WestMED National Event in Tunisia on the blue economy was organised in partnership with the REBOOTMED project and the BlueMissionMed project. The objective was  to enhance synergies between three major European projects that focus on strenghtening the sustainable blue economy in the region and discuss major developments related to specific fields: greeen shipping,  fisheries & aquaculture and tourism.

This event was also organised in close collaboration with the Tunisian national coordinator of the WestMED Initiative, the General Secretariat for Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The event brought together more than 130 guests, including the EU delegation in Tunis, sectoral managers involved in the different themes, national authorities, researchers, universities and civil society.

Regarding green shipping, The WestMED presentation focused on Tunisia’s progress in implementing the energy transition in the Tunisian maritime fleet and adapting port infrastructure to this transition. Discussions in the afternoon workshop highlighted the need to draw up a roadmap for adapting ships and port infrastructure to the new regulatory requirements of the IMO and the European Union.

Participants insisted on the urgency of developing this roadmap, if the deadlines required by these regulations are to be met. The multitude of alternative fuel choices available requires the collaboration of transport and seaport stakeholders to make this transition a success with minimal negative effects.

The second theme discussed was the development of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries and the need to use new technologies in this field, while preserving the environment and ecosystems. The workshop worked in four sub-groups to determine how the fisheries and aquaculture sector contribute to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the measures to be taken to overcome the difficulties and challenges hindering the achievement of the SDGs in this sector. (overview outcomes)

The third theme was Sustainable tourism. The Ministry of Tourism presented its vision for Tourism 2035 (see press article), as well as new initiatives for developing sustainable tourism; in particular thematic routes and the Destination Management Organisation (DMO). Next to this, the Ministry of the Environment presented its roadmap for the blue economy, detailing the priority actions to be implemented to ensure sustainable blue tourism. The Sahel and Sahara Observatory also highlighted the contribution of Ecosystem Accounting of Natural Capital. Closing the session on tourism, the Agence du Tourisme de Corse presented the best practices adopted by the region to encourage the transition towards sustainable and responsible tourism.

These are some of the main recommendations that came out of the ensuing discussion:

  • EU: Allocate specific funding for sustainable tourism and prioritise green practices.
  • Programmes and initiatives, including the new WestMED Technical Group on Sustainable Tourism: Improve project and programme coordination, promote nature tourism throughout the year, and develop legal frameworks for pescatourism.
  • Regional involvement: Empower regions to define and implement sustainable tourism strategies.
  • Public-private partnerships: Strengthen partnerships to foster innovation, resilience, and adaptation to climate change.

Guests representing both public and private sectors, including the the Tunisian National Tourist Office, the Mauritanian Ministry of Tourism, the Sicilian Region, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of CAP BON (TN), shared insights on how these recommendations fit into their strategies, emphasising product diversification, local capacity building, and off-season tourism promotion.

The event underscored the need for continued collaboration to integrate these recommendations across the Mediterranean and a good example of how three Blue EU initiatives can bundle their collective efforts to help make this happen.

 

 

 

 

 

Memorandum of understanding between the Algerian incubator ‘Leancubator’ and the Tunisian Maritime Cluster

As part of the Blue Economy Conference held on 15 October in Algiers, an agreement was signed by Mr Harizi, Managing Director of the Algerian incubator ‘Leancubator,’ and Mr Ezzedine Kacem, Chairman of the Tunisian Maritime Cluster. The signing took place in the presence of the Minister for the Knowledge Economy, Start-Ups and Micro-Enterprises, and the Inspector General of the Ministry for Fisheries and Fish Production.

According to Mr Harizi, the agreement provides for ‘the creation of opportunities for Algerian players in the blue economy, through international cooperation, the exchange of expertise between the two countries and support for innovation between them, with joint projects to be launched in the coming months.

For his part, Mr Kacem stated that the aim of these agreements was to create maritime clusters in all the countries of North Africa, and then to establish an organisation bringing together all the clusters in the region. He stressed the need for collaboration between the Tunisian cluster and its Algerian counterpart, which is currently being set up.

For further information, please contact Salem Miladi (WestMED National Hub Tunisia):  tunisia@westmed-inititiative.ec.europa.eu

 

people sitting on stage during callmeblue event in Tunisia on 14 October 2024

WestMED Tunisia presents maritime cluster actions during CallmeBlue event

On 14 October 2024, WestMED’s National Hub Tunisia particpated in a workshop organised by the Cluster Maritime Tunisien, titled  ‘Maritime clusters, catalysts for the development of the blue economy’.

This workshop was part of the European CallmeBlue project, which aims to strengthen synergies between maritime clusters in the North and South and to promote regional maritime dynamics.

The event brought together players from the maritime sector to strengthen opportunities for collaboration, identify innovative projects, encourage collaboration between public companies and institutions and private companies, and involve environmental protection institutions and civil society in the debate on the blue economy.

The National Hub presented the objectives and priorities of the Westmed project and outlined the results of the work of the technical and discussion groups, emphasising the cluster’s role in developing relations between the various players in the maritime world in order to create synergies and development opportunities.

The Secretary General for Maritime Affairs presented the objectives and priorities of the national strategy for the blue economy and emphasised the role of the maritime cluster as a catalyst for the development of the blue professions.

 

group picture with all participants from the WestMED Hackathon 2024

WestMED Hackathon 2024: Crafting Sustainable Blue Economy Projects

On 3 October 2024, 87 practioners and policymakers from 15 countries met in Vilamoura, Portugal to discuss project ideas and possible funding sources. This was the 3rd WestMED hackathon after previous succesful sessions in Palermo (2019) and Malta (2022).

This year’s Hackathon with the title ‘Crafting Sustainable Blue Economy Projects’ was hosted and co-organised by Portugal, Mauritania and DG MARE/ European Commission.

After the opening remarks by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism Team Leader from Ecorys (Javier Fernández), the Portuguese and Mauritanian co-presidencies (Lídia Bulcão and Demba Diawara) and a welcome word by the European Commission (Christos Economou), WestMED’s project coordinator (Celia Murcia) took the floor to explain the proceedings for the day and introduced the speakers that each detailed different EU financial instruments with current and upcoming funding opportunities such as Interreg NEXT MED, EMFAF, BlueInvest and Erasmus+.

These instruments have proven to be a vital part to support the implementation of ideas, projects and creation of partnerships that promote co-operation, collaboration and co-ordination between the economic agents of the countries that are part of the WestMed Initiative. This funding part was completed by a presentation detailing 2 practical Portuguese examples that have been supported by the WestMED National Hub and can be replicated: MEDBAN (Mediterranean Blue Acceleration Network) and HUBAZUL.

After the funding part, six blue projects took the stage to tell their story, five of whom have received EMFAF funding.  These projects (CALLMEBLUE, WeMED NA_TOUR, WINBIG, GREEN MARINE MED , BlueAquaEdu and Blue Skills) served as an inspiration for the five Project Development Labs that followed shortly after.

Each lab consisted of approximately 15-20 stakeholders with two moderators and were focused on some of the main themes that have been prioritised within the WestMED Initiative:  Aquaculture, Blue Skills and careers, Maritime clusters, Green shipping and ports, and Sustainable tourism.

The outcomes of these discussions were presented in a plenary session and the next steps briefly outlined with enough ideas to be further explored.

The day was concluded by Marisa Lameiras da Silva, Director General for Maritime Policy in Portugal who shared her reflections and conclusions noting the remarkable amount of energy that she had found with the participants engaging in the different Labs.  Manuel Pleguezuelo Alonso from DG MARE brought this event to an end by highlighting how some of the ideas from the hackathon 2 years ago have now come to fruition, emphasising the importance of “policies through projects,” and thanking all participants who have made this possible. 

Download the hackathon report

Download the agenda

Watch all WestMED Hackathon ’24 presentations: dedicated playlist on WestMED’s YouTube channel

WestMED Hackathon 2024conference room filled with stakeholders

WestMED Hackathon 2024. people discussing Sustainable Tourism project ideas

Le cluster maritime libyen créé avec le soutien du cluster maritime tunisien

Dans le cadre de la création du Cluster Maritime Maghrébin, Mr Ezzedine Kacem, président du cluster maritime tunisien a participé à l’adoption des statuts définitifs du Cluster Maritime Libyen par son assemblée constituante le 18/09/2024.

La déclaration officielle de cette création a été annoncée le 29 septembre 2024 à l’Université Omar El Mokhtar El Baida (Lybie) réunissant 14 membres fondateurs spécialistes des différents secteurs maritimes en Lybie. Le Président fondateur est Mr Ali Shagrouni et la Présidente du conseil d’administration Dr Masauda Abuarosha, tous deux Coordinateur et Hub National libyens du projet Westmed.

Cette réalisation des parties prenantes Libyennes est de nature à promouvoir l’économie bleue en Lybie et marque une étape significative dans la concrétisation de la stratégie du Cluster Maritime Tunisien (CMT) pour la création du Cluster Maritime Maghrébin et renforce la coopération entre les opérateurs de l’économie bleue dans les deux pays.

Plus d’informations sur l’annonce du Cluster maritime libyen

WestMED Steering Committee members sitting around a larfge conference table in Portugal, October 1, 2024

WestMED Stakeholders gather in Portugal for a 3-day agenda on the Blue Economy

Three full days have been dedicated to enhancing synergies among key actors in the Mediterranean basin: The WestMED Steering Comittee (SC) on October 1, The UfM Regional Platform on the Blue Economy on October 2, and the WestMED Hackathon on October 3, 2024.

WestMED Steering Committee
The WestMED Steering Committee (SC) was hosted by the Region of Algarve and the Portuguese Co-Presidency.

The meeting gathered representatives from the WestMED countries, as well as the Observers, DG MARE, CINEA, UfM and the team of the Assistance Mechanism.

A key milestone was presented at the SC meeting in terms of cooperation and clustering within the Mediterranean region. On 29 September 2024, the first maritime cluster has been officially established in Libya with the support of the WestMED Initiative. This maritime cluster will be rolled out in the coming months. (see article on this announcement).

Updates on the WestMED Technical Groups (TGs) were presented by the Assistance Mechanism, in particular to the recently approved TG on Sustainable Tourism. There has been a call for Tourism experts to join, and there has already been a stakeholder group meeting on September 6 and an advisory group meeting on September 18 to prepare for the official launch at the Sun&Blue Conference on November 21.

The WestMED countries are fully committed  towards a more sustainable and resilience tourism section in the Mediterranean. Some countries are working to promote more environmental-friendly tourism alternatives such as pesca-tourism and sustainable scuba diving at artificial reefs.

In view of the willingness of the WestMED Initiative towards enhancing more synergies and cooperative dialogue with the African countries, DG MARE presented the Strategic Dialogue on the Africa-Europe Ocean Economy. A scoping report has been produced outlining way to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Europe on ocean governance and blue economy, from which to forge a mutually beneficial roadmap for the two continents in line with the 2030 UN Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

UfM Regional Platform on Sustainable Blue Economy

Back-to-back to the WestMED Steering Committee, the UfM Regional Platform took place on 2 October 2024

The UfM Secretariat introduced the most recent advancements on the update of the Roadmap for the implementation of the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy. On the monitoring, reporting and evaluation mechanism, an exhaustive exercise is being done based on 657 actions, activities and projects of regional cooperation in the Mediterranean.

The UfM is going to shortly launch the new edition of the UfM Sustainable Blue Economy Publication, which provides an update on the status of the key blue economy sectors in the Mediterranean, including transversal aspects such as blue skills, marine research and funding frameworks. The previous edition of this 2021 publication can be found here.

On this occasion, the UfM Regional Plan for Transport was presented by Francesc Carbonell. Further synergies are being sought between the WestMED Technical Group on Green Shipping and Ports and the UfM Regional Plan for Transport, to address the common challenges of the sector in the Mediterranean.

Further updates were presented in terms of the Community of Practice on MSP (Smart Specialization Strategies – S3, Mission Restore Our Oceans by 2030 and BlueMissionMed, Interreg Euro-Med and strategy dialogue on the Africa-Europe Ocean Economy.

On the funding opportunities, updates were presented in the Blue Mediterranean Partnership, Interreg Next-MED and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership.

WestMED Hackaton 2024

On 3 October 2024, 85 stakeholders from more than 20 countries met in Vilamoura, Portugal to discuss project ideas and possible funding sources. This was already the 3rd hackathon after previous sessions in Palermo (2019) and Malta (2022).

Read the full article

Download the agenda

Watch all WestMED Hackathon ’24 presentations: dedicated playlist on WestMED’s YouTube channel

 

Marisa Lameiras da Silva (Portugal) and Demba Diawara (Mauritania) co-chairing the WestMED Steering Committee | Copyright photos: DGPM

WestMED Libya Blue economy event at Al-Mukhtar University - 29 sept 2024

WestMED Libya announces the country’s first Maritime Cluster at the Omar Al-Mukhtar University, during ‘Blue Economy Research & Innovation’ workshop

Today on September 29 2024, at the Faculty of Agriculture Hall, the Omar Al-Mukhtar University hosted a workshop titled “advancing  the Blue Economy in Libya through Research and innovation” with the support of the Al-Mukhtar Center for Research, Consulting, Educational Services, and Training.

This workshop was organized in collaboration with the WestMED Initiative for the Development of the Blue Economy and the Marine Biology Organization.

The workshop was led by Dr. Masauda Abouarousha, the Libyan National Coordinator for the initiative, and was attended by prominent figures, including the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and a number of faculty members from the Faculties of Science, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. Additionally, the event saw the presence of the Director of the International Cooperation Department at the University and the Director of the Environmental Sanitation Department at the Ministry of Environment.

The event also included notable participation via online platforms from:

  • Eng. Ali Al-Shaqrouni, Head of the Libyan Maritime Cluster
  • Captain Ezzedine Kacem, Head of the Tunisian Maritime Cluster
  • Mr. Leonardo Manzari, Italian WestMED National Hub

During the workshop, the formation of the Libyan Maritime Cluster was officially announced. This entity will serve as an umbrella organization uniting all stakeholders engaged in various maritime activities related to the blue economy, with a particular focus on research and innovation (see presentation)

The workshop played a pivotal role in engaging researchers at Omar Al-Mukhtar University with international research platforms specializing in the blue economy, enhancing Libya’s participation in regional and global initiatives.

There will be a series of seminars, workshops and focus groups emanating from this workshop.

At the conclusion, several recommendations were made:

1- Urging Omar Al-Mukhtar University to partner with the steering committee initiative represented by the Al-Mukhtar Centre for Research, Consultancy, Scientific Services and Training, as Libya is a member of this initiative.
2- Establishing a unit within the Mukhtar Centre for Blue Economy, which is concerned with spreading awareness of the importance of the blue economy through seminars, workshops and meetings as an alternative economy.
3- Holding qualification courses for interested parties and stakeholders and preparing human cadres capable of engaging in this field.
4- The Mukhtar Centre adopts the idea of establishing a special board for research in the various fields of the blue economy and distributing it to colleges as houses of expertise containing academics, researchers and interested parties, and then selecting distinguished research proposals and through the Centre and its agreements, financial support is provided for these researches through donor agencies and organisations for funding.

 

With this workshop, the path is paved for more strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that Libya contributes actively to the regional blue economy agenda.

Download the analysis framework paper detailing the Libyan Maritime Cluster

For more information contact Masauda Abuarosha: libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

WestMED Libya Blue economy event at Al-Mukhtar University - 29 sept 2024

 

alberto Pulizzi, Regione Sicilia Fishery Dept at G7 in Siracusa on 27 sept 2024

WestMED Italy 2024 Roadshow on Innovation and Internationalisation for Sustainable Fisheries during the G7 in Siracusa, Sicily

On 27 September 2024,  thanks to the Regione Sicilia Fishery Department (represented by Director General, Alberto Pulizzi) and the Sicilian Fishery and Blue growth cluster COSVAP (represented President Nino Carlino), the WestMED National Hub organised a roadshow focused on Innovation and Internationalisation for a new Sustainable model for Fisheries.

This roadshow was programmed as a side event to the  G7 Ministerial meeting on Agriculture and Fisheries  that was held in Syracuse from 26 to 28 September 2024 with a great Exposition and many activities on agriculture and fishing throughout the city.

Prof Franco Andaloro, a world renown international expert on sustainable fisheries kicked off with an inspiring introduction. He mentioned the need for a complete new approach and model to Fisheries, focusing on the role of fishers, as protagonist and not as problem.  He also detailed the main challenges to be tackled, if we really want to promote Sustainable Fisheries model(s).

This was followed by multiple experts who shared their views and experiences: Giovanni Borsellino ( FLAG GAC Il Sole e l’Azzurro ) presented its traceability system for fishery. Leonardo Manzari then presented his experiences as part of the WestMED Assistance Mechanism with a focus on  Technological innovation and internationalisation as indispensable tools to propose solutions and apply technologies and systems at the service of a new sustainable model for artisanal fishing, deep sea fishing, and aquaculture.

Luca Mirabelli from AS Labruna presented its hybrid Power systems for small and large fishery vessels and Prof Concetta Messina explained the contribution of INTERREG NEXT Italie-Tunisie ARIBIOTECH to the extraction of bioelements from fish waste and the network of specialized labs developed between Sicily and Tunisia.

DuWo presented its smart fish packing boxes, equipped with RFID traceability chip and their box washing machines

For more information contact Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub italy): italy@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

 

Leonardo Manzari, WestMED Italy moderating session at G7 in Siracusa on 27 sept 2024