Spain Fishermen's Association promotes sector jobs in schools through an immersive experience

The Association of National Fisheries Producer Organizations in Spain, Pesca España, has presented an immersive experience destined to be launched in schools to promote fishing professions to young children.

Through 'Puerto Felicidad' (Port of Happiness in English), children will discover maritime activities through play and fun, using tools such as Virtual Reality. It will be launched on May 24th and will tour various coastal towns in the Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia, and Andalusia.

According to data from the Social and Economic Council of Spain, 2023, only 27% of workers are under 40 years old, and 42% are over 50 years old. Moreover, in 2022, only 8% of affiliated workers were under 30 years old, and 18% were between 30 and 39 years old.

For this reason, Pesca España wants to highlight the development possibilities and job opportunities that the sea holds for all ages and to promote generational renewal.

Precisely, Antonio Nieto, Manager of Pesca España explained: "With this project, we want to present maritime activities from an educational but also attractive point of view, so that young children can discover that fishing can be an exciting and different profession. Our mission is to defend fishing and promote generational renewal, and what better way than through technology so that younger generations can experience the various maritime professions."

First Virtual Reality experience

Pesca España has launched this initiative in collaboration with the non-profit association Educación Azul. The tour starts in the Asturian town of Ribadesella, where students from 4th, 5th, and 6th grades from two schools will enjoy different activities.

Therefore, schoolchildren will get in touch with fishing professionals and learn about their importance to the economy and progress. Additionally, there will be a fish auction that will consist of visiting a fishing port.

Finally, Mercedes Pardo, President of Educación Azul, remarked: "At Educación Azul, we work so that children and young people do not forget that there are professions in the sea that allow for personal and professional development, contributing to the economy of their localities and, of course, the country."

Other countries like Norway have the Youth Fishing Program which allows youth to work in summer jobs as fishermen. The ultimate goal of the program is to offer young Norwegians an introduction to fishing as a career option.