FOLab attends the World Maritime Week

Iratxe Rubio attended last week the International Eurofishing Congress in Bilbao, which dealt with the most relevant topics for tuna fisheries around the world, including a thematic session on tuna Tuna Freezing Vessels. The Congress was held from 27^th to 31^st March 2017, in Bilbao Exhibition Centre, and was hosted within the World Maritime Week, where the naval, fisheries, energy and port sectors are gathered together for a set of international events including conferences, exhibition areas, and networking spaces, among others.

During the event, European Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) were presented and discussed from sectorial and institutional points of view. Elizabeth-Rose Amidjogbe, Legal Consultant to the Bureau of National Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture from Liberia, pointed out the benefits that SFPAs can report to developing countries. At the same time, the private sector described these agreements as a reference in terms of transparency, sustainability and cooperation with third countries.

Other speakers at the conference were Leandro Azkue, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Basque Government; Yimin Ye, Chief of the Marine and Inland Fisheries Branch at the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO); Harrison Charo-Karisa Ag. Director of Fisheries Resources Development and Marketing, Ministry of Agriculture from Kenya; and Stefaan Depypere as director for International Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries at MARE European Commission. It was a great occasion for networking and keeping in touch with stakeholders of international fisheries.