The WestMED – MSPglobal joint webinar, held on May 11^th 2021, focused on advancing a step closer to a Mediterranean MSP perspective, a perspective of collaboration, coexistence and synergetic relationship between the different components of the maritime sectors. The main objective of this event was to examine different forms of governance relating to MSP and how can data collection and analyses could be used more consistently to boost the blue economy at the local/ national or regional level.

The event brought together the experiences of the southern region of WestMED and formulated practical recommendations for a sustainable multi-use of the WestMED region at different scales (local, national and cross-border).

Two different sessions were organized to discuss MSP topics, the first session on: “MSP as a boost of the blue economy: a sub-regional approach” and the second session a “Roundtable – EU MSP Platform”, where National Hubs of WestMED Initiative and National Focal Points of MSPGlobal project, were invited into a roundtable to share their experiences and knowledge about the topic discussions, with intervention of the audience (SLIDO questions). Additionally, at the beginning of the second session, the WestMED Sea Basin expert of the EU MSP Platform presented the outcomes of the EU MSP Platform-MSP MED event that took place the previous day 10^th of May.

At the end of the two sessions, the panelist communicated key messages for common actions in the region between the  IOC-UNESCO and WestMED Initiative.

During the event various ideas (recommendations) were discussed, mostly focusing on regional collaboration:

• Assessing the status of MSP at local and national level, with the support of researchers and scientists, to check future trends including environmental, economic and social impacts;
• Further funding to support data collection, as the basis for decision-making and preparation of national plans with the support of scientific community;
• Encouraging research, innovation and training in the marine and maritime sector;
• Flexible approaches to look at regional protocols and conventions to take advantage of already established agreements;
• Ecosystem services as cumulative impacts indicators to track the general good state and consider the cumulative impacts as well on the cultural and socio-economic state;
• Awareness and communication for the southern countries about how MSP is important for their national/local socio-economic growth
• Integration and coordination of all levels of governance is essential for the management of the marine environment and marine activities and uses;
• There is a broad consensus that existing and established regional platforms (existing international / regional conventions, SDGs) could be a good way to achieve this coordination.
• The definition of national blue economy strategies is essential to know how to align the objectives of the MSP with the interests of blue growth;
• The MSP can promote the blue economy by allocating space to specific strategic sectors, always considering environmental impacts;
• Aligning the plans of the MSP with the general objectives and processes of environmental protection at national and international levels and with economic and social issues;
• Promoting and implementing transdisciplinary approaches, merging knowledge on social, cultural and economic processes as well as on ecological, biological, geological and physical and cultural processes;
• It’s important for the southern Med countries to first develop the planning of the marine space at national level, and once achieving this to proceed to regional level.

For more information, please contact thanos.smanis@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

The first edition of the international digital fishery and aquaculture exhibition, organised by the Italian association ASSOITTICA, took place on 20-21 May.

With over 90 virtual exhibitors from South-Eastern Asia to Alaska, from Chile to Mauritania, as well as a high quality programme of seminars and workshops, the WestMED Initiative was invited to have an active presence.

Thanks to a strong support provided in these two years by the Italian NH, the WestMED Assistance Mechanism has joined the venue with :
– a dedicated stand to meet stakeholders, interested in its technical assistance and services;
– the first official webinar held by AquaWest, the newly created WestMED Technical Group on Sustainable Aquaculture, with a strong focus on the Southern shore countries of the Mediterranean.

With the participation of the FAO/GFCM representative for Aquaculture, stakeholders from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania and Libya have had the possibility to present and debate on their national plans for the development of sustainable aquaculture, but also to access to Italian and French good practices towards the Green & Blue bio-economy.

The combination of increased production capacity (in response to internal and export demand) with the environmental, economic and financial sustainability, represents the main current challenge for these young and dynamic societies.

The WestMED stand was intensively visited during the two days by an international public of operators, confirming the importance of the sub-basin initiative of DG MARE and its impact on the Blue Growth ecosystem.