Innovation in Fisheries Areas

DG MARE and DG REGIO are organizing a joint Conference on Innovation in Fisheries Areas. This seminar will take place in the context of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the future role and strategies for the EU funded innovation in the fisheries areas, in the general framework of the "EU 2020" strategy. The conference will take place on 19 October in Vigo (Spain), where part of the technical secretariat of the innovative European Fisheries Technology Platform is located. The main aim of the Conference is to provide the participants with some "innovation know how" through high quality presentations of concrete cases by the "best of the best" practitioners. These cases would illustrate innovation practices which could help to diversify the economic bases of fisheries areas. The target audience is mainly the Managing Authorities of both financial instruments (ERDF and EFF). The Conference will focus on innovation and the territories. Four areas/themes were identified – see copy of a preliminary draft programme in annex. - Information, communication and technologies in the fisheries industries. - Energy/environment (renewable energies in coastal areas) - Coastal and fishing tourism and other activities of economic diversification - Aquaculture and fish processing industries.