“Economic Advice in Fisheries Management: a trilogue between Science, Administration and Stakeholders”, was the title of a conference organised recently by DG MARE of the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Association of Fisheries Economists (EAFE) and the University of Malta. FARNET was there also to highlight how CLLD is enabling fishing communities to develop new and innovative fisheries management initiatives.

The event gathered over 220 participants, including policy makers, fisheries scientists, NGOs, trade and seafood processing organisations, and small and large scale fisheries associations, from inside and outside the EU, for 1.5 days of lively and rich discussions (see outputs here). Quoting Commissioner Karmenu Vella in his opening speech, “we need accurate and relevant economic advice to back up our policy proposals… and we need to find ways to take into account that seafood markets are becoming ever more integrated and globalised…  so that the force stays with us.”

With CLLD and FARNET present at this event, the point was made that a cooperative approach, bringing together local knowledge, smart science-fisheries partnerships and appropriately designed data collection tools, can support the design of more efficient fisheries management policies for local communities. Illustrated during the event with examples such as Telecapêche, a French Axis 4 supported catch data reporting system in Brittany, and the “relational capital in fishing communities” study by the Stretto FLAG in Calabria, Italy, there is clear evidence that FLAGs & blueCLLD can help to bring balance to the force in fisheries management.

For more information on the event and all presentations, click here.