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announcement poster GFCM-WestMED aquaculture event at SIPA 2024 in Oran, Algeria

Joint FAO/GFCM-WestMED event during SIPA2024 on Climate Change Resilient Aquaculture

23 February 2024/in News /by National Hub Algeria

On February 11, 2024, the GFCM Scientific Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ), organized a workshop in close cooperation with WestMED Algeria on Climate Change, Resilient Aquaculture, and Mitigation Strategies. This event took place during the International Fisheries and Aquaculture exhibition (SIPA Algerie 2024), in Oran Algeria

The workshop started with opening remarks, setting the stage for discussions on aquaculture in the Mediterranean basin in the context of climate change.

Esteemed speakers shared their insights, beginning with Rita Lecci from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) Foundation in Italy, who highlighted the relationship between aquaculture and climate change. The presentation emphasized the need for sustainable aquaculture development to promote a resilient blue economy in the region.

Samir Bachouche, representing the national hub of the WestMED Initiative in Algeria, shed light on the importance of sustainable aquaculture in the Western Mediterranean and its contribution to a sustainable blue economy and highlighted the workk of WestMED thematic stakeholder group on aquaculture: AquaWest. Javier Ojeda from the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) shared European fish farmers’ perspectives on climate change, providing valuable insights into the challenges they face.

The workshop then delved into innovative tools and strategies to address climate change challenges in aquaculture. Alessio Bonaldo from the University of Bologna in Italy presented strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation in aquaculture, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches. Curzio Pagliari, also from the University of Bologna, discussed the use of green propulsion systems for more sustainable aquaculture, highlighting the importance of reducing environmental impact.

Jose Diaz Salinas of Skretting, Norway, joined the discussion online and addressed the feed challenge in aquaculture in the face of climate change. His insights shed light on the importance of sustainable and efficient feed production practices.

In the afternoon session, the focus shifted to climate change resilient farming systems. Soufiane Bensalem from the University Kasdi Merbah Ouargla Salem in Algeria presented Saharan aquaculture as a model of farming resilient to climate change. Elisa Ravagnan from NORCE, Norway, explored the concept of integrated multi-tropic aquaculture as a potential solution for climate change resilience. Enric Gisbert from the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Spain, shared insights into a saltwater aquaponics system for mullet and Salicornia production.

The workshop concluded with a fruitful discussion among participants, addressing the challenges and opportunities of climate change resilient aquaculture. The insights gained from the workshop will contribute to the development of effective mitigation strategies and promote sustainable aquaculture practices in the Mediterranean basin.

Visit the event webpage for more information on the background and the agenda

Contact the WestMED National Hub Algeria (Samir Bachouche) for more information: algeria@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

Here’s a videoclip from Samir Bachouche during the event:

European Blue Announcement with 2 cover pages of eu blue forum position papares 2024

The European Blue Forum Stakeholder Position Papers are out!

16 February 2024/in News /by Communication team

The European Blue Forum consisting of stakeholders from all 5 EU sea basins has published its first 2 Position papers related to key issues concerning the European Seas

Paper 1: What do we need from European Seas by 2030, and are we asking too much?
Paper 2: What does a fossil fuel free sustainable blue economy look like? How can we as a community support this transition?

These 2 papers, crafted collaboratively by European Blue Forum members through insightful discussions over the past 10 months are now accessible.

The documents are set to serve as a significant statement on maritime and coastal stakeholders’ common issues, challenges and future expectations for our European Seas. They gather the needs of the European Blue Forum members and provides the main axes of action for the years to come.

The papers will be presented during a public meeting of the inter-parliamentary group SEARICA in Brussels on 7th March 2024.

Download the papers

Guide to good environmental practice for sustainable marine aquaculture

1 February 2024/in News /by National Hub Algeria

Produced under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment and Renewable Energies (MEER) in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Fish Production, with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), as part of the “Protection of the Environment and Biodiversity of the Algerian Coastline (PEBLA)” project.

This guide has been developed as a tool to provide decision-makers and aquaculture producers with practical recommendations for reducing the impact of aquaculture activities on the environment. Its content is based on current technical and scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of farmed species.

Topics covered include environmental protection, product quality, labour standards, consumer safety and animal welfare.

Source: Guide des bonnes pratiques environnementales pour une aquaculture marine durable – وزارة البيئة والطاقات المتجددة

For more information, contact the WestMED National Hub Algeria (samir Bachouche): algeria@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

Report: A sustainable blue economy for the Mediterranean: challenges, opportunities and policy pathways

1 February 2024/in News /by Communication team

A new policy report, commissioned by the European Commission (DG Near) to the EuroMeSCo network, and developed by eco-union under the supervision of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), aims to assess the status and potential of the sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean region, including an analysis of socioeconomic benefits and impacts in relevant Blue Economy activities.

This report not only encapsulates the current state of the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean but also serves as a guide for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, pointing towards a future where sustainable practices drive economic growth while safeguarding the invaluable marine ecosystems of the region.

Download the report

Source: Eco-Union website

announcement poster for the WestMED 2023 factsheet

WestMED 2023 factsheet is out now!

12 January 2024/in News /by Communication team

The WestMED 2023 factsheet is out listing its major achievements.

Goals, priorities, governance, stories, number of projects supported and much more in one quick overview

Download your copy from the publications page

MED MSP Community of Practice: experts from across the Mediterranean unite to share experiences and align perspectives

19 December 2023/in News /by Communication team

On 26 On January 2023, CINEA together with DG MARE, launched the ‘Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning for the Mediterranean’, with the support of the WestMED Initiative, the MSP Assistance Mechanism and Union for Mediterranean.

This is a voluntary, enthusiastic group of experts from EU and non-EU countries working on MSP in the Mediterranean.

It was established based on a growing need from the MSP Community for a continuous and structured dialogue at sea basin and sub-sea basin level.

The main objective of this MED-MSP-CoP is to establish a permanent exchange between MSP practitioners across borders (i.e. planners, technical experts, researchers), to share knowledge and relevant experiences in the region, reach a shared perspective on MSP topics of common interest and enhance the cooperation between the north and the south shore of the Mediterranean.

In its first year, 3 workshops and 4 thematic webinars have been organised – mostly online. Participants indicated the added value of this platform and plans are underway to continue with these meetings in the years ahead.

If you want learn more and/ or join this Community of Practice, all information can be be found on the MED-MSP-COP webpage

Marta Pascual , WestMED National Hub spain) at the 2nd ENSSMAL conference on the Blue Economy 2023

WestMED experts join ENSSMAL’s 2nd International Conference in Algiers on Blue Economy and Climate Change

15 December 2023/in News /by National Hub Algeria

The Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Sciences de la Mer et de l’Aménagement du Littoral (ENSSMAL) recently hosted a noteworthy event exploring the crucial intersection of the blue economy and climate change.

This event brought together more than 80 participants, including high level experts, from various corners, with a major input by the WestMED Initiative, all united by a common purpose: safeguarding the well-being of our seas in the face of a changing climate.

The blue economy encompasses the sustainable utilization of sea resources for economic growth and development. It includes a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from fisheries and tourism to shipping and renewable energy generation. As a vital force in the regional economy, the blue economy sustains millions of livelihoods worldwide.

However, the blue economy’s prosperity is jeopardized by numerous challenges, including the ever-present threats of climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

Climate change’s influence on rising ocean temperatures has triggered concerning consequences, from coral bleaching and diminishing sea ice to altered fish stocks.

Pollution, particularly the alarming prevalence of plastic waste, poses a significant threat to sea health. Furthermore, unsustainable fishing practices exert immense pressure on numerous fish populations, threatening their long-term viability.

Main topics
The ENSSMAL conference served as a crucial platform to brainstorm solutions for these pressing challenges. The engaged participants, including prominent specialists from the WestMED Initiative, made a collaborative effort to foster sustainable development across the Western Mediterranean region and delved into various pertinent topics:

Understanding the Blue Economy: The panel of experts delved into the blue economy’s fundamental concepts, focusing on sustainable use of sea resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of sea ecosystems.
Climate Change impacts on marine Ecosystems: Discussions revolved around the latest research on how climate change is affecting marine biodiversity, sea levels, and oceanic weather patterns.
Innovative solutions and policies: Explore cutting-edge approaches and policy frameworks that can support the growth of a sustainable blue economy while mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Networking opportunities: Connect with professionals, academics, and policymakers from various sectors to exchange ideas and forge partnerships for future collaborations.
Harnessing the blue economy’s potential for job creation and economic growth

The event’s success can be attributed to the insightful discussions, collaborative spirit, and valuable contributions from the diverse range of participants. It provided a much-needed platform to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and forge partnerships for future endeavors.

Emphasising crucial aspects
Beyond the aforementioned key points, the ENSSMAL event further emphasized the following crucial aspects:

The critical role of international collaboration in effectively addressing the challenges facing the blue economy.
The urgent need for increased investment in research and development to discover innovative solutions for sea conservation.
The importance of raising public awareness and fostering education initiatives to cultivate a collective understanding of the significance of protecting our seas.

The ENSSMAL event’s success lies in its emphasis on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and action-oriented solutions. It provided a valuable platform for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to connect, forge partnerships, and develop concrete strategies for tackling the impact of climate change.

Download the event report : Here

For more information contact the National Hub Algeria

front cover of financing opportunities guide for the green transition of fisheries and aquaculture 2023

Energy Transition Partnership & Financing Report

9 December 2023/in News /by Communication team

The new guide on financing opportunities for the Green Energy Transition of Fisheries and Aquaculture is out!

The guide is set to support the sectors through EU funding under the 2021-2027 financial framework and NextGenerationEU. The comprehensive guide aims to elucidate diverse funding options for the energy transition by targeting a broad audience, including enterprises, public administrations, research institutions, and civil society organisations. It distinguishes itself by offering a tailored approach, swiftly aiding stakeholders in identifying and assessing applicable EU funding sources. Covering areas like vessel innovation, energy-efficient gear, and aquaculture management, the guide complements existing European Commission tools and undergoes regular updates to incorporate newly identified funds.

All information can be found in the Energy Transition Partnership

Group picture of participants at Libya's first WestMED national stakeholder event 2023

Major Blue Economy Milestone in Libya with its First WestMED National Stakeholder Event

8 December 2023/in News /by Communication team

For the first time in the five years of Technical Assistance, the WestMED Assistance Mechanism experienced a national Blue Economy event in Libya on Nov 30th 2023. This was done upon the initiative of the National Coordinators, Mr Ali Shagruni and Ms Masauda Abuarosha, with the organization and support by the National Project of Aquaculture and the assistance from WestMED’s Italian National Hub.

With the aim of gathering the main stakeholders of the Blue Economy, the organizers could also rely on the participation of more than 60 operators in presence and of high level institutional representatives: the Deputy Minister of Marine Wealth, Saber Al Azzabi, the Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Libya, Horia Nagacevschi and the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Libya, Riccardo Villa.

Qualified speakers for the main sectors of the Blue Economy could represent the current situation of the country in each field, also disclosing their potential role of participants to the WestMED Technical and Working Groups like Maritime Clusters Alliance, Green Shipping, Aquawest. Also participants from Italy and Tunisia, intensified the international meaning of this WestMED event, as a confirmation of the centrality of Libyan role in the Mediterranean basin.

Indeed, beside a remarkable and frank interaction on topics related to the fishery sector, the description of the opportunities represented by the Technical Assistance provided by WestMED Assistance Mechanism and those EU funded programmes accessible for Libyan stakeholders, was an important point to encourage stakeholders to join partnerships and project proposals.

This becomes a fundamental way to increase the inclusion of Libyan organizations in the Mediterranean ecosystem: the successful examples of projects like REBUILD, TAMSALL, POWER4MED, MAWEGO were mentioned.

In this perspective, the participation of HORIZON EUROPE’s National Contact Point for Libya was also an added value for liaising with raising opportunities of partnership in the coming months.

It was commonly perceived the impression that, in this phase, a more intense stakeholders’ engagement from the WestMED Assistance Mechanism could easily produce fruitful results, given the very strong expectations of Libyan stakeholders towards all forms of EU support.

Download the agenda

Group of people at the Blue Mediterranean partnership agreement signing at COP28

Blue Mediterranean Partnership steps up support for sustainable blue economy

5 December 2023/in News /by Communication team

EIB, EBRD, UfM, EC, AFD, CDP, KfW, donors and beneficiary countries sign cooperation agreement at COP28

Blue Mediterranean Partnership to support transition to a sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean region
Partnership to start operating in early 2024
Partners aim to mobilise at least €1 billion in investments

At COP28, partners and donors involved in the Blue Mediterranean Partnership reinforced their support for developing the sustainable blue economy in the southern Mediterranean region. The parties involved signed a letter of intent to make their participation in the Partnership official and to make the Partnership operational in early 2024.

The Blue Mediterranean Partnership aims to tackle the threats the Mediterranean Sea faces by coordinating the financing of blue economy projects in the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions, focusing initially on Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Through a new multi-donor fund managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Blue Mediterranean Partnership seeks to secure additional funding from sovereign donors for project preparation and blended finance. Today in Dubai, the European Commission announced a contribution of €1 million, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) contributed SEK 75 million (€6.5 million), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) announced a €2 million contribution. In the coming months, Germany and Spain are also expected to announce donations, with additional donors to follow.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), AFD, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and the EBRD – will act as implementing financial institutions and cooperate to co-finance blue economy projects, which will benefit from the grants provided by the Partnership, mobilising also existing financial resources provided by the European Commission through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform and the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+).

Lastly, the beneficiary countries (Egypt, Jordan and Morocco) will lead on identifying strategic blue economy projects in their territories, while the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) will act as facilitator of the political and regulatory dialogue.

Read the full article on the website of the EIB