Background
Fisheries and aquaculture represent an important component of the blue economy and offer significant potential for sustainable food production, employment generation, and economic diversification in Libya.

With more than 1,900 km of Mediterranean coastline and favorable environmental conditions in several coastal areas, Libya possesses promising opportunities for both marine fisheries and aquaculture development.

Despite these potentials, the sector faces several structural challenges including limited investment, insufficient technical capacity, fragmented institutional coordination, and the need for stronger collaboration between research institutions, public authorities, and private sector actors.

In particular, aquaculture remains underdeveloped compared to its potential, while fisheries communities are facing socio-economic challenges and declining participation in the sector.

Strengthening dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders is therefore essential to promote sustainable fisheries management, support aquaculture development, and foster innovation and investment within Libya’s blue economy framework.

In this context, an ad hoc online round table will be organized to bring together key national stakeholders from the fisheries and aquaculture sectors to exchange perspectives, identify common priorities, and explore opportunities for cooperation.

Objectives
The round table aims to:

• Facilitate dialogue and networking among key stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Libya.
• Discuss the current status, challenges, and development opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Identify priority areas for collaboration between public institutions, academia, private sector, and civil society.
• Promote a more integrated and coordinated approach to the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture within the blue economy framework.

For whom
The round table will bring together representatives from:

• Relevant government authorities (fisheries, agriculture, environment, and maritime sectors)
• Research and academic institutions working on marine sciences, fisheries, and aquaculture
• Private sector actors, including aquaculture farms, fisheries businesses, and related service providers
• Fisheries associations and coastal community representatives
• Civil society organizations active in marine and fisheries sectors
• International organizations and development partners (where relevant)

Key Discussion Topics
The round table will focus on the following thematic areas:

1. Current status of fisheries and aquaculture in Libya: Overview of production, existing initiatives, and institutional framework.
2. Challenges facing the sector: Key constraints related to governance, financing, skills, infrastructure, and technology.
3. Opportunities for sustainable development: Potential areas for aquaculture expansion, innovation, private sector engagement, and youth employment.
4. Strengthening cooperation and stakeholder networking: Identifying mechanisms to enhance collaboration between institutions and promote joint initiatives.
5. Regional cooperation through the AquaWest Technical Group (WestMED Initiative): Exploring opportunities for Libya to engage with the AquaWest TG and benefit from regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building initiatives in fisheries and aquaculture.

Format
The event will be held online and structured as an interactive round table discussion. A short introductory presentation will be followed by an open exchange among participants to encourage dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Participants will be invited to share experiences, highlight key challenges, and propose practical recommendations for strengthening fisheries and aquaculture networking platforms development in Libya.

Expected Outcomes
The round table is expected to:

• Strengthen networking among national stakeholders in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Identify priority challenges and opportunities for sector development.
• Generate recommendations for improving collaboration and coordination among relevant actors.
• Lay the groundwork for future initiatives, partnerships, and capacity-building activities in the sector.

Moderators

• Dr. Fatema Hamad – Libyan Representative in the AquaWest Technical Group (TG), WestMED Initiative
• Prof. Masauda Abuarosha – National Hub (NH) Libya, WestMED Initiative

For more information/ registration: contact Masuada Abuarosha