The LIFE OASIS project is building a solid cooperation network throughout the Mediterranean

'Guardians of the Ocean' Conference Agrees Collaboration is Key for Marine Conservation and Sustainable Fishing in the Mediterranean

Experts, policymakers, fishers, and scientists unite at LIFE OASIS event to strengthen regional cooperation, promote innovation in sustainable fishing gear (aFADs), and sea turtle protection, prioritizing the involvement of coastal communities.

The international conference "Guardians of the Ocean," held on April 3rd at Xrobb l-Għaġin Park and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, brought together international experts, policymakers, fishers, and scientists with the primary objective of strengthening regional cooperation and driving innovation in sustainable fishing and marine conservation in the Mediterranean.

This event represented a significant milestone for LIFE OASIS, a project co-funded by the European Union that actively promotes sustainable fishing, with a particular focus on dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), and the protection of sea turtles. In parallel, the project seeks to bolster the socio-economic resilience of coastal communities that depend on the sea in the region.

The Parliamentary Secretary of Malta for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Alicia Bugeja Said, inaugurated the conference, highlighting the new fisheries policies implemented by the country. These include legal reforms that expand the representation of local fishers in national-level decision-making, as well as new EU-funded programs that incentivize the adoption of selective fishing gear and the implementation of improvements on board vessels.

"We are firmly committed to a science-based fisheries management approach that faithfully reflects the reality and needs of our fishers," emphasized Bugeja Said. "Through closer and more effective communication and collaboration, we can address critical issues such as increasing plastic pollution and ensure the long-term sustainability of our marine resources."

Technological Innovation, Ecosystem Health, and Active Participation of Fishers

A central point in the discussions was Anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs), fishing gear that has the capacity to create stable micro-ecosystems in open waters, a phenomenon known as the "oasis effect." The LIFE OASIS project focuses on optimizing the design of aFADs to minimize the incidental catch of non-target species, eliminate the use of plastic in their construction, and facilitate the collection of crucial scientific data, while ensuring their profitability and viability for fishers.

Photo: courtesy Greenpeace

The project coordinator, Ricardo Sagarminaga, underscored the vital importance of synergistically integrating the technological, social, and economic dimensions to achieve a fishing model that is intrinsically sustainable and scientifically valuable.

"Technology applied to fishing must have the dual objective of improving the efficiency of operations and, simultaneously, actively contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems," affirmed Sagarminaga.

Within the framework of the project, tests are being carried out with intelligent aFADs and other technological innovations, including studies with drones and tracking tools enhanced with artificial intelligence. The goal is to provide a solid scientific basis for policy decision-making, while strengthening the active participation of fishers and other relevant local stakeholders.

Building Trust, Fostering Training, and Promoting a Shared Regional Vision

During the conference, a common understanding was evident: sustainable fishing and marine conservation must advance jointly and complementarily. Likewise, it was unanimously recognized that close and continuous collaboration between scientists and fishers is an essential element for achieving these objectives

"Fishers are the heart and soul of LIFE OASIS," stated Vincent Attard, Director of Nature Trust Malta. "Working together in a coordinated manner, we can ensure that the conservation of our valuable marine resources and the livelihoods of fishing communities grow in a parallel and mutually beneficial way."

The panel discussion emphasized the need to establish standardized but adaptable protocols to the specific contexts of each region to address critical challenges such as entanglement in fishing gear, ghost nets, and plastic ingestion, especially in particularly vulnerable species such as sea turtles. Similarly, the importance of ensuring that sustainable innovations are affordable, practical, and aligned with the real working conditions of fishers was highlighted, in order to guarantee their widespread adoption and long-term success.

CEPESCA, as a key strategic partner of the LIFE OASIS project, leads the development of a financially sustainable model for Anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs). The goal is to ensure that these innovative fishing gears remain a viable and profitable option for local fleets. Thanks to its extensive network of contacts with fishers and other stakeholders in the fishing industry, CEPESCA will be responsible for aligning the designs of the aFAD prototypes with rigorous cost analyses, market studies, and effective financing strategies.

Example of a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) in the ocean. Photo: International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISFF)

In parallel, CEPESCA coordinates important knowledge and best practice transfer initiatives from Spain, Malta, and Italy to the fishing communities of North African countries. The aim is to provide artisanal fishing communities with successful models that combine economic resilience with marine environmental conservation. In this way, it is sought that fishers can maintain prosperous livelihoods while actively contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems. Through direct collaboration with national authorities and local cooperatives, CEPESCA ensures that emerging solutions effectively respond to the specific needs of each region and can be replicated to achieve a lasting and large-scale impact.

Looking Towards a Sustainable Future

The LIFE OASIS project is building a solid cooperation network throughout the Mediterranean, which currently encompasses 15 active projects and a broad coalition of committed stakeholders. This initiative combines high-quality scientific research, traditional knowledge of fishers, and the valuable participation of citizen science to achieve a long-term impact that is tangible and quantifiable.

At the end of the project, the following key results are expected to be achieved:

• Significantly improved aFAD designs that effectively respond to both the operational needs of fishers and the minimization of environmental impact.
• Greater access to specialized training programs and adequate financing mechanisms for small-scale and artisanal fishing.
• Development and implementation of innovative new tools for the collection of fisheries data, using artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and advanced telemetry technologies.
• A much deeper and more detailed understanding of the behavior of sea turtles in the Mediterranean and the development of more effective and evidence-based conservation strategies.

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