Hybrid Forum on “Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities through Blue Transformation” to be Launched by CIHEAM Bari – CIHEAM Bari – Sede di Tricase launches the Hybrid Forum on “Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities through Blue Transformation” on July 10, 2024.
The event is organized within the framework of the fifth edition of the Advanced Specialized Course on Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities, with the technical support of FAO and GFCM and financed by the Italian Cooperation.
The hybrid event will involve Mediterranean and African coastal communities and aims to encourage dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and best practices between blue economy players, policy-makers, academics and supporters of blue transformation.
Presentations, Q&A sessions and interactive networking opportunities will create a solid foundation for networking and collaborations for a sustainable future for coastal communities.
Below is a description of each stakeholder who will present their best practices in the different topic:
1. KENYA: Socio-economic aspects of community-based projects by self help group: Pate Resource & Tourism Initiative case study
Pate Resource And Tourism Initiative is a self help group dedicated to empowering rural communities through sustainable initiatives. Their key projects include mud crab farming, mangrove planting, eco-tourism, plastic recycling, and beekeeping, all designed to enhance livelihoods and preserve the environment. By implementing innovative strategies and fostering local engagement, PRATI has significantly increased incomes and promoted ecological balance. Their impactful work exemplifies the potential of community-based projects in driving sustainable development.
2. SOMALIA: A successful story of sustainable value chain and fish value addition: Ocean Fish Processing Factory in Somalia
Oceanic Fish Processing Factory is a reliable supplier of sourcing and canning fresh tuna, established in 2019 in Puntland, Somalia. export a variety of seafood products, such as tuna fish, sardines, and lobsters. The goal is to become the top provider of white fish meat in the region through strong relationships and high-quality products.
The factory is a key player in the tuna processing industry, sourcing and canning fresh tuna. It is a leading producer and distributor of shelf-stable seafood products in Somalia and focuses on health, nutrition, and convenience, ensuring superior quality and competitive pricing for consumers.
The company delivers high-quality seafood for everyday enjoyment while also prioritizing sustainability in its operations. The company is dedicated to fostering value chain components, processing, and value addition to enhance economic opportunities, create jobs for youth and women, and promote sales and marketing. By supporting local communities and economies through responsible sourcing practices, Oceanic Processing Factory Tuna contributes to the overall development of the country.
3. SENEGAL: Protecting our planet and promoting a sustainable lifestyle at a community level: the Yoff Environment Club example in Senegal
Through citizen actions, the Yoff Environment Club organizes awareness campaigns on the need to preserve our environment, but they also carry out concrete actions such as reforestation days, cleaning and recycling workshops. They organize conferences, panels and workshops on issues related to their local and global environment by involving children. They received several awards including the prize of the leading association at the Green Award ceremony in Senegal.
4. TUNISIA: Research and innovation for an integrated sustainable coastal development: Tellus Advisory in Tunisia
Tellus Advisory is a consulting firm specialized in environmental research and development assisting partners in the public and private sector to provide sustainable solutions and transform frameworks and institutions for the benefit of a perspective of general and sustainable interest. One of its values is respect for the environment and its mission is training young people on how to reduce, recycle and reuse plastic waste in Tunisia, with the aim of implementing a climate-friendly circular economy policy and promote gender equality.
5. ALGERIA: Integrating local tourism activities with research, environmental services and conservation: the case of Djzera diving club in Algeria Environmental Services and Conservation (Protection, restoration)
The “Djzera” diving club in Tigzirt (Tizi-Ouzou), is an associative club affiliated to the Algerian Federation of Rescue and Underwater Activities (FASSAS). Founded in 2014, the club shares several activities with the coastal community of Tigzirt, and is involved in a number of actions to restore and protect the marine environment: beaches and seabed cleaning-up (plastic, sunken fishing boats, ghost nets), installation of artificial reefs to restore marine biodiversity, participation in local, international environmental events and festivals.
6. EGYPT: Skretting towards Blue Transformation: a successful story in the feed industry contributing to the aquaculture development in Africa.
Skretting Egypt is one of the most important leader companies in fish feed manufacturing starting in 2008 in Fish feed production that aim to produce high quality nutritionally balance feed taking in consideration the food safety parameters that improve the fish productivity and profitability of fish farms. It also committed to sustainability and principles of blue transformation they also focus on Researches to improve the feed quality and FCR. It doesn’t depend only on fish supply but also providing consultations to obtain BMPs also training of aquaculture farmers and collobration with many stakeholders and other sectors that in turn have many postivities on aquaculture development in Egypt and economic performance.
7. ITALY: Successful examples of SSF diversification activities: the “Anime Sante” case in Tricase Porto
Anime Sante: a cultural experience brought by Rocco the fisherman and his family about ittitourism. Ittitourism is a form of tourism centered around the traditional practices and valorization of local cultural and culinary heritage of fishing communities, that provides different benefits in form of sustainable fishing through fishing tours, educational components and gastronomic experiences. The “Anime Sante” restaurant is the perfect example of economic diversification and a guarantee of quality with a mix of land and sea products that are grown and fished by Rocco and his family in respect of the environment.
8. MOZAMBIQUE: Can environmental protection and restoration activities create employment opportunities? The “Eden Reforestation Project” and community engagement actions in Mozambique
Reforestation project for degraded mangrove areas in Maputo province, involving the coastal districts of Marracuene, Matutuine, Matola and Boane. It is a Government partner that supports coastal communities to stop cutting down mangroves, at the same time involving them in the restoration of marine ecosystems and creating employment opportunities through the development of other economic activities.
9. ALBANIA: Private-Public Partnerships for restocking programme of koran (salmo letnica)
Restocking Program of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in cooperation with the Fishermen of Pogradec and the Fisheries Management Organization (OMP) aims to restore and preserve native fish species, particularly the endemic Ohrid trout (Salmo letnica), which enhances habitat restoration, increased food security and has a greater positive impact on ecological balance of the lake and these healthy fish populations contribute to the stability of the food web and overall lake health. Also the local economy around Lake Ohrid is significantly dependent on fisheries, so this sustainable management of fish populations through restocking efforts ensures and supports the livelihoods and boosts the local economy and social needs of this community.
10. UGANDA: Value addition of small pelagics to enhance livelihoods and improve nutrition in Kiyindi landing site, Buikwe District.
Value addition of small pelagics in Uganda enhance livelihoods by leveraging research, organizing fisher groups, especially women, for better marketing and facilitating access to credit. The activities are creating a revolving fund supporting the community by providing capacity-building initiatives. Thus, improving nutrition through education, product diversification, ensuring food safety and quality, making products accessible and affordable, represents a significant benefit the community.
11. ITALY: Innovation in Value chain and the opportunity for value addition: Offishina: rooted traditions with a new vest
Leveraging an array of locally sourced vegetables and spices and different commercial fish species, this business relies solely on traditional processes like fermentation and salting with pure rock salt to create cured products that resemble typical italian meat-based products but are in fact meat-free. These time-honored techniques not only preserve the vibrant flavors and nutritional qualities of the ingredients but also reflect a deep respect for cultural and sustainable practices, with zero CO2 emissions and no waste during the process.
Hybrid Forum on “Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities through Blue Transformation” to be Launched by CIHEAM Bari
