The Marine Strategies in Spain: participatory workshops for marine-related sectors

Since we began collaborating with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD) to carry out visibility, communication and training activities regarding the Marine Strategies, we were faced with a great challenge: to connect and bring the Marine Strategies to a great number of publics, including different economic sectors whose activity directly or indirectly impacts the marine environment. We understood that achieving this would require not only communicating information but also establishing a two-way dialogue, listening and recognising these sectors as fundamental actors in the conservation and protection of the good environmental state of our oceans and seas. These have been months of intense and rewarding work, bringing together and debating a complex issue with multiple stakeholders, whose active participation is crucial for the fulfilment of the Marine Strategies.

Now, after many months of hard work and dedication, we can proudly say that we are on the right track, and one of the main activities that has allowed us to do so has been the awareness-raising workshops for sectors linked to the marine environment. These workshops have not only served to inform, but also to connect, promote discussions and collaborate in the search for joint solutions. 

Between March and June 2024, in collaboration with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, we have conducted a total of 12 awareness-raising workshops in various locations across Spain. The purpose of these workshops, aimed at various sectors that interact directly or indirectly with the marine environment, was to raise awareness of its importance and promote the need for its preservation, emphasising the fundamental role of Marine Strategies in achieving and maintaining the good environmental status of the marine environment.

The workshops are an essential part of the Marine Strategies awareness-raising programme coordinated by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, in collaboration with SUBMON. The Marine Strategies, implemented in Spain by means of Law 41/2010 on the Protection of the Marine Environment, aim to ensure the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the seas and oceans at European level, through their planning, conservation, protection and improvement.

The workshops have been carefully tailored to address the specific issues of four sectors whose activity is closely related to the marine environment or has a significant impact on it: the fisheries sector, the aquaculture sector, the leisure nautical sector and the agricultural sector. The participation of these groups is crucial to collaboratively address the particular challenges of each sector and to find effective solutions and alternatives. To ensure that the workshops are adapted to the specific needs of each region, different locations were chosen according to the relevance of these sectors in the different marine demarcations of Spain. We have visited a total of 4 marine demarcations in Spain, including the autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Galicia, the Region of Murcia, Andalusia and Cantabria. 

Workshop on marine litter for the aquaculture sector in La Ràpita.

Each workshop has been designed to address a specific topic depending on the specific sector, focusing on particular issues and impacts, and therefore each workshop counted with the participation of an expert in the corresponding topic. The fisheries sector, for example, addressed the issue of bycatch, exploring innovative ways to reduce this impact and offering alternative solutions. For the nautical-recreational sector, workshops focused on how to minimise impacts on the seabed and reduce water pollution from nautical activities. For the aquaculture and agriculture sectors, the main theme was the issue of marine litter, focusing on effective strategies to mitigate its impact.

Beyond the theoretical and didactic elements, what truly set these workshops apart was their participatory approach. From the very beginning, we placed a strong emphasis on the practical aspects, incorporating interactive exercises and group dynamics that allowed us to gather valuable opinions and perspectives from those working directly in these sectors. This approach created a space for constructive debate, where recommendations were put forward and training was provided to address the specific challenges of each sector. By incorporating the real-life experience and knowledge of professionals, we aimed not only to raise awareness but also to achieve feasible and beneficial changes for all parties involved, thereby promoting effective and sustainable conservation of the marine environment.

Workshop on by-catch for the fisheries sector, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

This way, the workshops have proved to be a real success in connecting with various sectors whose activity significantly affects the marine environment. They have served as an invaluable platform to bring Marine Strategies closer to sectors directly related to the marine environment, such as fishing, leisure nautical and aquaculture, as well as to others whose relationship does not seem so obvious, but which also generate certain impacts, such as agriculture. This has made it possible to address specific problems that profoundly affect each sector.

In short, these workshops have established themselves as an essential tool for raising awareness about the protection and conservation of the marine environment among various sectors, highlighting the crucial role of Marine Strategies in achieving this objective. Certainly, the highlight of the workshops has been the opportunity to dialogue and collaborate in the search for joint solutions, creating an enriching environment for the exchange of knowledge and experiences. This collaborative approach has made it possible to effectively address sector-specific issues, thereby promoting more sustainable and effective conservation of our seas and oceans.