SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 28th May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
From the 16th to the 19th of June, Tenerife will be hosting the sixth edition of the Seas Meeting, the only global conference that intertwines gastronomy with science and the fishing sector. Bringing together marine biologists, oceanographers, fishing industry representatives, and chefs, this meeting will tackle ocean conservation challenges from various angles.
This year’s theme is ‘Blue Health, reconnecting the nexus between the ocean and human health’. Over a span of three days, more than thirty speakers will discuss and explore the preservation of sea culture in different venues across the towns of Arona, Adeje, San Miguel de Abona, and Granadilla.
Vice President and Tourism Advisor of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Lope Afonso, emphasised that the Seas Meeting goes beyond being just a gastronomic event. It aims to highlight the unique products found on the island and to support the primary sector to sustain their demanding and challenging activities.
He further added that events like this play a crucial role in raising awareness: “We promote local cuisine, contribute to the promotion and recognition of Tenerife’s fishing practices, and advocate for biodiversity conservation, health value, and the blue economy. Our goal is to be an increasingly sustainable and responsible destination.”
CEO of Tourism of Tenerife, Dimple Melwani, stated that they are excited to host this event for the second year in a row with a wide array of activities, reaffirming their dedication to combining science, gastronomy, and fishing. Melwani stressed the importance of preserving the sea, the region’s rich biodiversity, artisanal fishing, and blue tourism. “Protecting the oceans’ health will safeguard human health,” he concluded.
Minister of the Primary Sector and Animal Welfare, Valentín González, underlined the successful pairing of the tourism and primary sectors: “We must support local products, especially fish products. This presents us with a significant challenge. The presence of our fishermen is crucial, and we are grateful for their collaboration with Tenerife’s fishing sector.”
General Director of Vocento Gastronomía, Benjamín Lana, mentioned that the conference will kick off on Sunday the 16th with a public event on the Los Cristianos beach promenade (Arona). Chefs from the island and the mainland will offer seafood tastings at affordable prices. Presentation sessions will begin the following day at the Adeje Auditorium.
FOREMOST SCIENTIST IN THE WORLD
Benjamín Lana highlighted that this year’s roster of speakers for the sixth Seas Meeting includes the world’s most distinguished marine biologist and fisheries science professor, Daniel Pauly. Pauly is renowned for his innovative work in fish population assessment and research on the detrimental effects of overfishing on global fish stocks.
Pauly is also acclaimed for developing FishBase software, a comprehensive database of fish species worldwide, which is widely utilised by scientists, conservationists, and fisheries resource managers.
Over the last 20 years, he has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the 2023 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, considered the preeminent international award for environmental science. It is akin to the Nobel Prize for the Environment, presented by the University of Southern California.
As the most cited fisheries scientist globally since 2010 and the author of multiple publications and books, Pauly will be awarded the Sartún Prize at the Seas Meeting for his advocacy and efforts in ocean preservation.
Also featuring at the event is Carlos Duarte, the scientific director of the Seas Meeting and a marine sciences professor at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Duarte has made significant contributions to studying marine ecosystems, including underwater meadows, salt marshes, mangroves, and marine biogeochemistry.
His work has been instrumental in comprehending the oceans’ role in the carbon cycle and in mitigating climate change. Duarte has also been honoured with several awards during his career, such as the King James I Award for Environmental Protection and the Ramón Margalef Prize for Ecology.
EXPERTS IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
A notable figure in this edition is Árni Mathiesen, an Icelandic politician, veterinarian, and fisheries management specialist. He served as Iceland’s Fisheries Minister, playing a pivotal role in administering the country’s fisheries resources, a crucial sector contributing 40% to the nation’s economy. He later held the position of Finance Minister.
Post politics, Mathiesen joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), where he became the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. His expertise in fisheries and financial management has significantly influenced natural resource policies in Iceland and beyond. Currently, he acts as the principal adviser of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
Representing the fishing sector is Javier Garat, a prominent leader with profound knowledge of fishing, lobbying, and regulation on a global scale. Garat serves as the President of the Association of Fishing Companies of the European Union (Europêche), representing 45,000 vessels and 80,000 fishermen, encompassing both artisanal and large-scale operations.
Additionally, he holds the position of General Secretary of the Spanish Fisheries Confederation (Cepesca) and was appointed the President of the Spanish Maritime Cluster (CME) this year. The CME unites all sea-related economic activities, institutions, associations, and companies with the aim of enhancing the ‘blue economy’ and acting as a liaison between the sector and governmental bodies.
