Ángel Matamoro, director of the GSSG Forum; Ana Ortiz, delegate of the Xunta de Galicia in Vigo; and Marta Costas, director of the Nueva Pescanova Foundation.
In the days leading up to its inauguration, the II Global Sustainable Seafood Galicia Forum presented its programme in Vigo. The event featured the territorial delegate of the Xunta de Galicia in Vigo, Ana Ortiz; the director of the Nueva Pescanova Foundation, Marta Costas; and the director of the GSSG Forum, Ángel Matamoro.
The GSSG Forum will take place on the 11th and 12th of November at Sede Afundación Vigo. Fourteen international experts will debate the asymmetry of sustainability, including the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia, Silvia Makgone, the FAO representative, Nada Bougouss, the Director of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Mª Carmen García, and the Director General of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Technological Innovation of the Consellería do Mar, Antonio Basanta. The Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), Susan Steele, will moderate one of the debates.
During the presentation, territorial delegate Ana Ortiz emphasized Galicia’s position, noting that “with over 4,000 fishing vessels and nearly 5,000 aquaculture farms, Galicia is currently the leader among European fishing regions, providing employment to more than 50,000 people throughout its value chain.” She added, “Galicia combines all the necessary elements – industry, universities, and technological and research centres – to also lead the dialogue on sustainability.”
The director of the Nueva Pescanova Foundation, Marta Costas, reiterated the foundation’s mission to promote and develop activities related to fishing, aquaculture, and the seafood industry, all aimed at fostering sustainable development across various dimensions, as well as highlighting the importance of research, innovation, and dissemination in all forms: technical, scientific, nutritional, social, and cultural. She emphasized, “Sustainability requires collaboration, transparent dialogue and ambition —principles embodied by the GSSG Forum, which once again brings relevant voices and prescribers to Galicia”.
The asymmetric vision
The Forum’s director, Ángel Matamoro, explained the theme “An asymmetric vision of sustainability”, which will enable the comparison of diverse realities and visions within the sector: with respect to geography (North-South), the scale of stakeholders (large and small), the regulatory framework, and access to sustainable financing, “four critical dimensions that aim to achieve the common goal of preserving natural resources for current and future generations while generating economic and social value.”
Experts at the forum will offer diverse insights and perspectives on the current situation, priorities, and challenges facing the fishing and aquaculture sector in its search for sustainability. This event marks a significant milestone, earning a place on the international calendar of global debate.
The GSSG Forum is promoted by the Nueva Pescanova Foundation, the Consellería do Mar of Xunta de Galicia, and has the support of the Nueva Pescanova Group and Abanca.