FAO workshop was held in Rome, Italy, from October 29 to 31.
El Centro Interdisciplinario para la Investigación Acuícola (INCAR)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) gathered 26 global experts to discuss marine aquaculture spatial planning. The workshop was held in Rome, Italy, from October 29 to 31.
FAO, along with other global and regional marine spatial management organizations, is working to develop marine ecosystem-based aquaculture spatial planning (MEAP) through initiatives and publications.
"To tackle the multiple challenges and promote the sustainable development of the sector, it is increasingly necessary to adopt integrated and forward-looking spatial planning strategies, which are key to the development and management of human activities that are truly sustainable," said Dr. Doris Soto, Senior Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR) in Chile.
The experts at the workshop identified five priority areas for attention:
Governance to support MEAP, especially considering coordination between institutions both within and outside the aquaculture sector and public-private coordination.
Improvements in spatial information generation and access for more effective MEAP.
Criteria and guidelines for the allocation of marine space, joint use of marine space, consideration of interactions between land and sea, and adaptation to climate change.
Capacity building for better management and implementation of MEAP.
Marine spatial planning for aquaculture that considers conservation and restoration of ecosystems.
"As a result of the meeting, a roadmap proposal and strategies will be developed to address marine aquaculture spatial planning, its implementation, and monitoring more effectively," Soto added.
According to a study published by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), Mediterranean fishing species change their spatial distribution due to climate change.