La Vila Joiosa and Santa Pola Advocate for Traditional Fishing at Casa Mediterráneo

Casa Mediterráneo will host the international conference 'Western Mediterranean: Traditional Fishing and Sustainability' on June 4 and 5. This initiative will bring together institutional representatives, fishing guilds, universities, NGOs, and experts from Spain, Italy, France, and Turkey. The aim is to analyze the challenges and opportunities of artisanal fishing in the western Mediterranean, promote cooperation among neighboring countries, and highlight a sector crucial to the economy, culture, and ecological balance of our coasts.

This will be the first major joint initiative driven by the municipalities of La Vila Joiosa and Santa Pola since their inclusion in February in the High Patronage of Casa Mediterráneo, reflecting their strong commitment to the Mediterranean and marine sustainability.

"These conferences are an opportunity to listen to those who live from the sea and share real solutions among Mediterranean brother countries," stated Marcos Zaragoza, mayor of La Vila Joiosa. "We are a 'poble de peix'; fishing has shaped Villajoyosa's landscape, our gastronomy, our culture, and our tourism offer. It is our responsibility to preserve that legacy and project it into the future with innovation and environmental commitment."

Meanwhile, Loreto Serrano, mayor of Santa Pola, emphasized that "artisanal fishing not only defines our local economy but also our way of life. Participating in this international forum allows us to showcase our best practices and learn from the experiences of other Mediterranean coastal towns that, like us, strive for a sustainable fishing model."

The program will address issues such as the current state of artisanal fishing, the management of marine reserves, the role of local governments in protecting fishing heritage, and the effects of climate change on the sector.

"Traditional fishing is part of the soul of the Mediterranean. Giving it visibility also means advocating for a way of life that combines ancestral knowledge, sustainability, and community," declared Andrés Perelló, director general of Casa Mediterráneo. "This forum is a commitment to public diplomacy from the local and human perspective."

The conference will also include parallel activities such as visits to fish markets, maritime showcookings, the screening of the documentary 'Poble de Peix', and the exhibition 'Hands Weaving the Sea', dedicated to the craft of net makers, key figures in the artisanal fishing ecosystem.

Organized by Casa Mediterráneo in collaboration with the municipalities of La Vila Joiosa and Santa Pola, the conference aims to establish a dialogue space between shores to advocate for a fairer, more sustainable Mediterranean connected to its roots.