"Shaping the future of sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea"

 The future of sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea will take centre stage at the Regional Aquaculture Conference on 4 and 5 December in Heraklion, Greece. The conference is organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Greek Ministry for Rural Development and Food, with the financial support of the European Union.

Marking a decade since the first major regional conference held in Bari, Italy, and building on the outcomes of the 2023 High-level conference on MedFish4Ever Initiatives, the event will convene senior decision-makers and aquaculture experts from across the region. Participants will review the progress made over the past ten years, chart the trajectory of the sector, and discuss the actions needed to achieve the objectives set within the GFCM 2030 Strategy for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Engaging discussions will focus on balancing growth with environmental sustainability, emphasizing both ecosystem health and economic vitality. Participants will highlight the importance of aquaculture within existing political commitments and provide insights and solutions to strengthen future action towards a sustainable and resilient sector.

Working together to tackle pressing challenges

Aquaculture is increasingly vital for food security, employment and economic development in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region. Over the past decade, marine and brackish water aquaculture production has nearly doubled, growing by 91.3 percent, with revenues increasing by 74.5 percent. However, the Mediterranean and Black Sea region faces unique vulnerabilities, compounded by climate change, population growth and economic instability, which are placing mounting pressure on its food systems. These issues will be a focal point of the discussions at the conference.

Defining a shared vision for the future of sustainable aquaculture in the region

The conference will open with country representatives assessing the progress made since Bari 2014, in particular the significant boost in national and regional normative frameworks, and targeted national aquaculture development plans. These discussions will lay the groundwork toward a shared vision for the future of sustainable aquaculture in the region.

A line-up of thematic sessions will address pressing challenges, with an emphasis on climate change and food security. Topics will include:

    Aquaculture food production systems of today and tomorrow;
    Advancing towards ecologically sustainable aquaculture food production systems; and
    Navigating change: strategies facing current and emerging challenges. 

These sessions will feature panel discussions and will provide alignment on a proposed set of follow- up actions towards the development of sustainable aquaculture.

Side events will complement the thematic session discussions and will feature various salient issues, including the use of artificial intelligence in the sector, the creation of networks, and the promotion of women in aquaculture and small-scale production.

The conference will be enriched through live demonstrations and stands showcasing emerging technology and the work of relevant aquaculture organizations. Meanwhile, discussions will highlight unified and inclusive governance, restorative aquaculture, promotion of food security and responsible investment, data collection, research and innovation, animal welfare, climate change and Blue Transformation.

The conference is addressed to participants representing relevant departments and government agencies, international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders from aquaculture platforms, the research community and aquaculture farmer organizations across the region.

Registrations for the Regional Aquaculture Conference "Shaping the future of sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea" are open until 25 October at the following link.