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national-event-poster-website-Algerie-2020

WestMED National Event Algeria 2020

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The Algerian National Hub of the WestMED Initiative with the support of WestMED Central Team and the collaboration with other National Hubs of France, Tunisia and Italy organized a National Event, under webinar format. This Maritime Cluster event was held on 9 December 2020 and brought together about 67 participants from Algeria and other countries.

In order to foster the establishment of national Maritime Cluster in Algeria especially for fisheries sector, it was very crucial to share experience between countries where Clusters are already operational like Tunisia, Italy and France. Through this event, discussion on how building a strong and collaborative network activity between essential actors at local and national level. The panelists discussed the ways and mechanisms of organization and implementation of Maritime Fisheries Cluster, with a view to creating an operational framework for bringing together key players in this sector, in particular investors, local actors and researchers.

This virtual meeting on Maritime Fisheries Cluster was also the opportunity to discuss on how development of socio-economic activities through job creation and investment in high added value services through across a range of sectors in the Blue Economy in Algeria. In the way, Panelists, were showing the various funding opportunities that exist through cooperation with the European Union, including the support offered under the WestMED Initiative.

Download the PowerPoint presentations of the Algerian national Event on Fisheries

Watch the full event on Youtube

WestMED National Event in Mauritania helps concretise the Blue Economy concept

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On 30 June 2020, more than 20 stakeholders from Mauritania gathered online to discuss the Blue Economy concept.

This national event was  organised by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism in cooperation with the National Coordinator in Mauritania of the WestMED Initiative at the Mauritanian  Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy.

It was a first of its kind meeting on the Blue Economy in Mauritania where many different organisations and institutions were represented from the private sector, the public sector and the academic world.

Next to an exchange of views, 10 ideas were identified that can be focused on to take the Blue Economy concept in Mauritania to a next stage:

  1. Promote the blue economy profile in Mauritania
  2. Skills and competences of actors for sustainable development (fisheries)
  3. Innovation to improve sustainability (e.g., waste/plastic management beyond collection, sewage treatment plants and sustainable fishing vessels);
  4. Plastic reuse experience in Senegal as pilot to capitalise in Mauritania (?);
  5. Capitalise on the (eco) tourism experience related to marine protected areas (example Nouadhibou) for coastal development with support for local capacities/skills;
  6. Desalination projects to improve access to water – be aware of MPA.
  7. Access to renewable energy (marine) for local communities
  8. MSP as an essential tool for good shared use of the sea and coastlines
  9. MSP as an essential tool to allow for a proper shared usage of the sea and littorals (pressure on coastal areas could be addressed through “green solutions”)
  10. Strategic study to identify priority activities to support a sustainable blue economy.

The National Hub Mauritania, together with the National Coordinator will study these initial ideas in more detail  and decide on a path forward.

Resources of the event: Agenda, Opening presentation (in French).

EU promotes sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean at high-level conference on MedFish4Ever initiatives

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Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who is representing the Commission at the conference, said: “Fisheries are a source of food and livelihoods for thousands in the Mediterranean. This is why two years ago, together with our partners, we delivered the MedFish4Ever Declaration setting political commitments to turn around the struggling and critical state of most fish stocks. We have made significant and concrete progress towards delivering our ambition to achieve sustainable fisheries. We must keep up the direction and the speed, committing to do even more in the coming years”.

Adopted in 2017, the Declaration sets in motion a new drive towards sustainable development of Mediterranean fisheries and aquaculture. Riparian countries have committed to a roadmap with concrete actions for the coming 10 years, and significant progress has since been achieved, including ambitious fisheries management measures, protection of biodiversity, improved research and control, and a stepped-up fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). All these achievements were possible thanks to close regional cooperation as well as to the reinforced capacities in the EU and in the neighbouring countries of the Mediterranean region. Despite improvements in fisheries management, the Mediterranean remains in a critical state and further action is urgently needed to secure the future of fishing communities. In order not to lose momentum, the high-level conference will take stock of the common achievements and renew the commitment to live up to the full promises of MedFish4Ever.

Source: DG MARE