SPAIN
Aquaculture activities to receive boost
More innovation and less red tape The Spanish operational programme for fisheries and aquaculture envisages a three-fold increase in aquaculture activities by 2023 leading to higher production, but also increased employment and better protection of the environment. Andrés Hermida Trastoy, the General Secretary for Fisheries in the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment mentions here, among other points, some of the steps the ministry is taking to achieve this. Adding value to catches is becoming increasingly important as the volumes delivered by capture fisheries stabilise. What efforts are being made in Spain to increase the value of the catch at all levels of the supply chain from the vessel to the final consumer? What role does innovation play in this process and how is it being fostered in Spain? In Spain a lot of research by the processing sector looks at constantly increasing added value. These efforts will be supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) during the next years, and by very significant private contributions. This sector is a pioneer worldwide, with innovation in new products, presentation, uses… as their base line. At this stage, it is necessary to acknowledge the fundamental role played by the Spanish Technology Platform for Fishery and Aquaculture (PTEPA). This non-profit association fosters technological development and innovation within the sector, including processing and marketing, assessing them on these issues, providing vital new information and facilitating integration between all the relevant partners in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean has established an aquaculture task force to develop a strategy for the sustainable development 34
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of Mediterranean aquaculture. As a prominent member of the GFCM and the largest producer of farmed fish and seafood in the EU how does Spain view the development of this strategy and how is it likely to influence the Spanish aquaculture sector? Spain is actively contributing to the development of the GFCM strategy and we are committed to the sustainability of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and in the other sea basins relevant for Spain, not only by actively participating in this Commission, but as well by implementing all agreed measures. The Spanish national strategic plan for aquaculture has set some ambitious targets to produce fish and seafood. What policy changes do you foresee at the federal level and at the level of the autonomous communities will be necessary to implement the plan? We are conducting several actions from the central government like the revision of the administrative procedure for the authorization of a fish farm, analysing the bottle necks and proposing improvements. We are also working on maritime spatial planning through the development of a Geographical Information System and we are discussing a draft text for a future law on aquaculture. Moreover, we have foreseen
Andrés Hermida Trastoy, General Secretary for Fisheries, Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment
a EUR2 million investment in innovation plans for 2016-2017. The General Secretariat is also coordinating the development of the national plan through an ad hoc committee that includes the regions and other stakeholders. All the stakeholders related to aquaculture are committed to the success and achievement of the national strategic plan goals. The global fisheries and aquaculture sector carries a heavy responsibility as it is expected to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG’s) of the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement (on climate change). How do you see the sector in Spain responding to these challenges of rising demand for fish and seafood products, a more sustainable seafood value chain, reduced food loss and waste at all levels, and decent employment particularly in rural and remote areas? Spain is highly involved in achieving these Sustainable Development Goals. We share the idea www.eurofishmagazine.com
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