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International Cooperation

Nov 18
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NatMIRC

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Galicia and Namibia show their interest in renewing the Memorandum of Understanding within a general framework project to be signed with the Kingdom of Spain

  • The agreement would strengthen the relationship between the region and the African country in terms of research, cooperation and fisheries management, as well as the generation of added value
  • Mr. Villares consolidates the historical collaboration between the two regions, which allowed the building of a station supplying fry to the aquaculture sector of the South African country, supported by the research action from CETMAR
  • The regional representative continues with the goal of creating institutional and economic alliances as a driving force for the promotion of the Galician maritime-fishing sector

The Regional Department for Marine Issues and the Namibian Government  show their interest in renewing the Memorandum of Understanding within a general framework project to be signed with the Kingdom of Spain. The agreement aims at keeping the collaboration in terms of research, cooperation and fisheries management.

Addressed by the head of the department, Alfonso Villares, and the deputy minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia, Sylvia Makgone, it took place yesterday in a working meeting, during the presence of the Namibian leader at the Second Global Seafood Sustainability Forum, held in Vigo.

This agreement would strengthen bilateral cooperation and development in research and fisheries management, as well as the generation of added value. For this reason, Galicia Regional Government (Xunta) hopes that the Spanish Department will take effective and rapid steps to carry out the process.

CETMAR in the spotlight

Therefore, Mr. Villares management allows to consolidate a historical relationship between the two regions, which led to among other actions, the building of a station supplying fry to the aquaculture sector in the area. It also promoted various research projects to advance knowledge of sustainable commercial species and to evaluate ecosystem, with CETMAR in the spotlight.

This agreement would therefore contribute to further enhance the work of the Centre, which already made it possible the project with the Namibian National Marine Information and Research Centre (NatMIRC), focusing on the assessment of fishery resources, stock assessment and monitoring of fish stocks.

With this meeting, the regional representative continues the round of contacts with the heads of various international governments in which the Galician maritime-fishing sector has a significant impact. The objective is to create institutional and economic synergies with a driving force on the Galician economy and, consequently, to increase the competitiveness of the maritime-industry chain and strengthen its presence in the countries where fisheries is a heavyweight.

Regarding Namibia, where the primary sector accounts for 18.5% of GDP, fisheries accounts for 2.6%. Trade relations are precisely focused in this area, accounting for 90% of Spanish imports. In 2024, exports exceed 40 million Euros.

Oct 01
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International Cooperation

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Fundación CETMAR collaborates with FAO in the professionalization of the fisheries sector in São Tomé e Príncipe

  • The Centro Tecnológico del Mar will work to recognize the fishermen’s skills and to design two vessels adapted to the needs of small-scale fishing. It will be developed within the framework of the FISH4ACP program ‘Unlocking the potential of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific’.
  • Two experts from CETMAR are participating in a mission to the African country to carry out fieldwork and learn first-hand the fishermen’s work and the environmental conditions of the fishing activity.
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization  of the United Nations implements this action, funded by the European Union and the German Federal Department  for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The Centro Tecnológico del Mar – Fundación CETMAR will collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in a program to improve the fishing sector of São Tomé e Príncipe by professionalizing fisheries and optimizing vessels.

Two experts from the institution, dependent on the Galicia regional government,  travel to the African country as part of the work for the FISH4ACP  program. This program, ‘Unlocking the potential of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific’, seeks to make the fisheries and aquaculture value chains more sustainable.

Regarding São Tomé e Príncipe the strategy includes, among others, developing and strengthening the skills and organization of stakeholders and increasing the infrastructure and equipment of the fishing sector. The task will be carried out by the officers of the International Cooperation Area of CETMAR, which renders this service to the FAO.

After a bibliographic review and meetings with managers from FAO and relevant institutions in fisheries, such as the Direção das Pescas e Aquicultura, two experts from CETMAR are travelling to São Tomé e Príncipe for fieldwork.

They aim at getting to know the working conditions of fishermen and palaiês (fish traders), their activity and the professional profiles required, as well as to analyze the conditions of fishing activity and to visit some shipyards. During the fieldwork, they will be constantly supported by workers from the local NGO Mar, Ambiente e Pesca Artesanal (Marapa), with considerable experience in the area.

The mission runs from today, 30th September, until 4th October. It will include working meetings with representatives of the institutions and administrations responsible for fisheries in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The objective of CETMAR is to promote the recognition of the skills acquired by fishing professionals in their work and to lay the foundations of qualification programs towards an acceptable labour insertion, extending the basic competences of coastal fishermen.

CETMAR will also work on the identification of needs, design and definition of constructive solutions to build two prototypes of boats for small-scale fisheries. They must fulfil standards of ergonomics and safety, and be adapted to the fishing gears, preserving the cultural identity of the fishing communities of São Tomé e Príncipe.

The FISH4ACP program, which includes the work assigned by FAO to CETMAR, is funded by the European Union and the German Federal Department for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).