November 2025

CETMAR promotes improved seed production and strengthened technical capacities of aquaculture producers in Peru

The Centro Tecnológico del Mar–Fundación CETMAR, within the framework of the Xunta de Galicia’s Galician Cooperation policy, is promoting in Peru the MAR Piura project, an international cooperation initiative aimed at increasing the sustainability of the value chain associated with fisheries and aquaculture activities in the Piura region. The programme is carried out in coordination with the Peruvian Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) and the National Fisheries Development Fund (FONDEPES), with the objective of strengthening business initiatives in the Bay of Sechura and reinforcing governance mechanisms to enhance their capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change.

The project is structured around three main lines of work. The first focuses on improving the production chain of the Peruvian scallop (concha de abanico) in the Bay of Sechura by strengthening the technical capacities of the OSPAS for seed production and handling in laboratory settings, enabling progress towards more efficient and climate-resilient aquaculture systems.

The second line seeks to strengthen marketing processes led by women, supporting their professionalisation in order to reduce economic vulnerability. Finally, the third work line focuses on institutional strengthening, promoting the training of technical staff from public entities linked to aquaculture and marine tourism, as well as fostering coordination spaces that support the design of production models and experiential tourism initiatives aligned with environmental conservation and economic diversification in the region.

First action of the project: technical training for OSPAS in Casma from 1 to 5 December

As the first operational milestone of the initiative, an intensive training activity will be held from 1 to 5 December for OSPAS technicians, covering protocols for maintenance, cleaning and optimisation of the scallop production cycle during the hatchery and pre-fattening stages. This action aims to reduce dependence on natural spat collection, which is increasingly affected by climate change.

Representatives from the OSPAS AREMAR, Sec Yurac and Aquaseed will take part, as well as students from the Ricardo Ramos Plata Institute in Sechura, selected for their strong interest in advancing towards a more sustainable seed supply system.

Throughout the sessions, participants will deepen their knowledge of broodstock selection and conditioning, phytoplankton cultivation and systematic water quality control. They will also work on cleaning, disinfection and sanitary prevention protocols, as well as larval and seed handling techniques.

Another important aspect will be the protocolisation of the different stages of laboratory cultivation and the proper recording and analysis of production data, with the aim of ensuring more efficient and standardised processes.

A Aixola Launches a New Training Cycle with Sixty Enrolled Participants and International Projects

• The A Aixola Training Centre offers free training in the areas of shipbuilding, fishing gear and equipment, sailmaking, and mechanics.

The A Aixola Training Centre, managed by CETMAR and dependent on the Consellería do Mar, has started a new cycle of courses that will run until December, with around sixty participants enrolled across four training areas. All courses are free of charge, as they are co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and take place in facilities provided by the Port Authority of Marín and the Ría de Pontevedra.

One of the main novelties this term is the participation of students in the FAO’s FISH4ACP programme, an international cooperation project led by CETMAR aimed at improving the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Students from the Manual Polyester Lamination and Small Boat Restoration courses will take part, working on the construction of fibre and marine plywood models.

The results of this training will later be applied in São Tomé and Príncipe, where CETMAR experts will deliver workshops with local carpenters and professionals, culminating in the construction of two vessels. They will also provide short training sessions on fishing gear repair, nets, and engines, aimed at strengthening the skills of fishers and women traders.

Among the most notable courses is the one leading to the Professional Certificate in Manufacture and Maintenance of Fishing Gear and Equipment, with A Aixola being the only centre in Galicia permanently accredited to deliver it. This qualification responds to the demand of net-makers’ associations, who see this training as a key tool to ensure generational renewal in the sector.

Wooden boatbuilding remains a fundamental pillar at A Aixola. The centre keeps alive the tradition of carpintería de ribera (traditional Galician wooden boatbuilding), declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage Asset in 2017. A Aixola combines traditional techniques with innovation, preserving boats and materials while promoting new approaches to shipbuilding.

The training offer is completed with courses in Basic Marine Mechanics for Small Vessels, which has received strong demand, and Sailmaking and Rigging, highly valued by both professional technicians and sailing enthusiasts.