On 25th-26th of October, 2011 in premises of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development took place the Baltic Sea Region programme project AQUAFIMA Kick-off meeting, which was represented by Karlis Maulics, Elina Baranovska, Lana Amosova and Dilara Shabajeva from Environmental Development Association.

Project „AQUAFIMA” was approved in May 2011, but first project brainstorm meeting was held in 2007. After many attempts to submit the project, it was approved only on 2011 and now project partners are working on project starting stage.

Conference started at 12 o’clock when participants of the project arrived to Latvia. After the registration participants of the conference were welcomed by Ilze Krieva from Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MEPRD) Development Instruments Department, Hauke Simen from the German project management company „Rem Consult”, who developed the project and coordinate it, and  Karlis Maulics from Environmental Development Association.

Keynote speaker Rolands Bebris from MEPRD opened the conference with his speech. He provided an insight into Latvian – European fisheries policy, decision making processes, highlighted key documents of the policy and wished success and also the significant results of the project.

The project general information presented Hauke Siemen from „Rem Consult”, who prepared interesting presentation about project „AQUAFIMA” history and current situation. In the presentation as well was included detailed working plan of the project.

Hauke Siemen spoke about other projects under Baltic Sea Region programme - „SUBMARINER” and „AQUABEST”, which are similar to the “AQUAFIMA” project. After communication between project coordinators agreement was concluded and project participants have decided that all tree projects stakeholders will cooperate with each other and will exchange an information about ongoing activities.

You can read more about cooperation here:

http://www.submariner-project.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=196:submariner-initiates-cooperation-with-bsr-aquaculture-projects&catid=46&Itemid=218

Hauke Simens also presented 1st and 2nd working package content – management and communication, during which he proposed all participants to follow up to the programme instructions and read trough programme Manual and other relevant programme and project documentation, which you can find here: http://eu.baltic.net/

First day of the Kick-off meeting enclosed with excursion to the Old Town, which was organized together with the Avalon Hotel in Riga. Tour ended in Latvian National Opera. After the excursion was organized dinner in Avalon Hotel, during which participants had an opportunity to discuss current information about project and activities, and share their impression of Riga.

The second day started with speech of the leading partner from German company Landgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern GmBH representative Matti Skor presentation about the project financial issues and programme requirements for reports’ preparation. Matti Skor spoke about project finances and report system, gaving examples of the progress report and talked about eligibility of expenditure.

After Matti Skor presentation followed three working package analyses and planning, which was administrated by Hauke Siemen.

WP5

Coordinator: University of Klaiped, which was represented by Antanas Kontautas.

Title of the working package: Promoting Fish and Aquaculture in Regional Deveopment.

Aims:

1)      Aligning aquaculture with ICZM, environmental aspects and spatial constraints;

2)      Working out regional employment potential;

3)      Developing of strategies for a sustainable fish supply and promotion of fish products.

Fifth working package consists of 5 activities, durin which partners will seek to achieve the objectives of the package.

After the fifth work package starts disscuion of the forth working package.

WP4

Coordinator – University of Rostock, represented by Prof.Harry Palm.

Title of the working package: Generation and transfered of knowledge on (re-)stocking startegies and aquaculture tehnologies.

Aims:

1)      Evulation of (re-) stocking practices for different Baltic Sea fish species and determination of the state – of – the – art of marine aquaculture;

2)      Evulation of aquaculture technologies (territorial, ecologic and economic conditions);

3)      Development of an education scheme for future aquaculture specialists.

Forth working package consist of 5 activities. During disscusions came up many ideas how to achieve their objectives, including idea that project can help to develop specialized master programm in aquaculture and fisheries, inviting guest speakers and organizing practice sessions in fishery farms and other similar institutions.

WP3

Coordinator – Environmental Development Association, represented by Karlis Maulics

Title of working package: Reviewing fishery policy in the BSR towards and all-embracing approach.

Aims:

1) To work out a review of current fisheries policy in the BSR;

2) To conduct case studies for alternative fishery managment options;

3) To give recommendations for future long-term fisheries management.

Working within the package is necessary to establish the main guidelines for fisheries policy in Europe and Latvian, also is needed to create fisheries and aquaculture soft policy documents basis of research results.

Very in importan and usefull information during the conference waspresented by represantative from Danish company EUROFISH Marco Frederi ksen, who brought Eurofish magazine monthly issues, which cinclude actual information abour fisheries and aquaculture in Europe. Marco also presented informative handouts which are issued by Eurofish organisation.

More information about project you can find here:

http://www.rem-consult.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=70

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