Fishing Blue “Support to the fishing sector in Albania” held its closing event
In the premises of Durrës Port it was held the concluding activity of the Fishing Blue Project “Support for the fishing sector in Albania” financed by the European Union with 3.4 million euros.
In the activity participated the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Frida Krifca, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, Mrs. Christiane Hohmann; President of the Foundation of the Italian Merchant Marine Academy (FAIMM), Mr. Eugenio Massolo; Captain Massimo di Marco of the Italian Coast Guard as well as Project equipment and staff.
In her speech, Minister Krifca emphasized that the Fishing Blue Project, through its grant scheme, has given the fishing sector in Albania an important support in terms of safe navigation and sustainability of the sector. The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union, Mrs. Hohmann underlined the importance of the fishing sector in Albania and stated that there have been results in three main directions “Institutionally, as it strengthened the Government’s ability to design and implement inclusive policies. Economically, the economic efficiency of the fishing fleet was increased through a 1.5 million euro grant services scheme for fishermen. Finally, socially, by raising awareness of the protection of fisheries resources from illegal, unregulated and uncontrolled fishing”.
President of the Foundation of the Italian Merchant Marine Academy, Eugenio Massolo emphasized in his speech that “beyond the modernization of the fishing fleet, we hope that this project – which was concluded today – will be a springboard for funding opportunities in the fishing sector, as part of the promotion of the blue economy that aims to protect the environment and work technology in this sector as well.”
Captain Massimo di Marco emphasized the importance of cooperation in the fishing sector in order to exchange experiences and good practices and to efficiently implement the legislation in force.
In the second session of the closing ceremony of this project, the project manager Massimo Gacci and the experts engaged in this project, Roberto Ridolfi and Alberico Simioli, pointed out the results of the project in terms of the alignment of legislation with the EU, capacity building and improvement of the sailing conditions of the fishing vessels through the grants provided.
During the 4 years of implementation of the Fishing Blue Project, the project team has assisted in legislative revisions; the drafting of the concept map for the pilot fishing port in Vlora; the planning of sustainable areas allocated for aquaculture according to international guidelines and standards; the training of the Ministry’s staff of Agriculture and Rural Development; updating the database and renewing IT equipment to increase the capacity of the Ministry to manage the Fishing Fleet Register; training and raising awareness of local communities to promote the protection of marine resources, empowering local businesses through grants schemes to support the Fishing Fleet, etc.