A new multi-stakeholder platform for sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea
Izmir, Turkey - More than 60 experts, professionals and stakeholders in the aquaculture field just gathered in Izmir, Turkey, to discuss about the future of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. On this occasion, the new GFCM Aquaculture Multi-Stakeholder Platform (AMShP) was launched.
This regional platform is the fruit of a discussion and consultation process started in May 2013, when the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) recognized the need to urgently tackle environmental and socio-economic concerns linked to the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Based on shared vision and objectives, the GFCM Aquaculture Multi-Stakeholder Platform is designed as a tool to enhance dialogue and consultation among aquaculture actors in order to propose common solutions for sustainable aquaculture strategies in the whole region. Open to all interested researchers, private and public stakeholders, farmers and farmers’ organizations, representatives of national administrations, international and intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and civil society, it should foster a better governance of the sector and offer an innovative forum to exchange experiences, information and knowledge about aquaculture development.
“We hope that this instrument will help strengthen the participation of farmers and aquaculture farmers’ organizations in consultation and decision-making and promote collaboration between all Mediterranean and Black Sea countries” said participants in concluding the meeting.
Participants from Algeria, Croatia, Greece, France, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey strongly welcomed this new initiative, and the Director General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock underlined the role of both national and international administrations in guiding the sustainable growth of aquaculture in the region.
A steering committee of experts has already begun its work to organize a series of regional activities as part of the platform work plan. As a way forward, it is foreseen to organize in 2014 a high-level event to discuss on key issues and foster common policies towards the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.