AquaReg is a Regional Framework Operation funded under the INTERREG IIIC programme North Zone. It involves co-operation between the regions of Galicia in Spain, Border, Midland and Western (BMW) in Ireland, and Trøndelag in Norway.
The overall objective of INTERREG IIIC is to “improve the effectiveness of policies and instruments for regional development and cohesion”. The AquaReg approach and ambition has been to take interregional cooperation one step further, aiming at concrete co-operation at operational level, involving marine industries, marine researchers, marine schools and the coastal zone planners in sub- projects.
A prerequisite for success in interregional co-operation is the right blend of differences and similarities. Galicia, BMW and Trøndelag are all strong marine regions, situated at different latitudes along the Atlantic Coast. Most of the species of fish and shellfish are the same but there are regional variations.
Overexploitation and depletion of traditional fisheries, has had a consequence in reduction in fishing quotas and re-structuring of the fleet all over Europe, which in turn has caused loss of traditional jobs and increased unemployment in many coastal communities. As a consequence, aquaculture has diversified significantly, and today aquaculture constitutes an important and flourishing industry with high expectations for the future.
The rationale behind AquaReg is to make more efficient use of the experience and knowledge of aquaculturists, fishermen and scientists, across regional and national borders. The interregional partnership has outlined three strategies for achieving the objectives of AquaReg:
- AquaLink: Linking aquaculture/fisheries business and research.
- AquaEd: Education and training.
- AquaPlan: Coastal zone planning and management.
AquaReg has successfully funded 12 sub-projects with 35 organisations from the three regions participating. The 12 projects received funding to the value of € 2,730,000. The level of interest from both the aquaculture and fishing sectors can clearly be seen from the variety of projects. The sub-projects include work on seaweed, cod, pollack, mussels, crabs and lobsters, coastal zone management, regional and student exchange, even developing by-products from waste materials.
The education element of AquaReg is important for regional authorities, adding new aspects to the role of both politicians and officials as enablers and moderators. The three regions of AquaReg have created valuable networks between SME’s, researchers, schools and coastal zone planners. At RFO level, AquaReg has created administration and political networks that are crucial to achieve the ambition of a long-term co-operation in different sectors between Trøndelag, Galicia and BMW. With this in mind AquaReg will organize events focusing on future cooperation, together with general sub-project networking and dissemination.
Specific focuses will be on interregional cooperation:
- for planning, management and sustainable exploitation of Aquaculture and Natural Marine Resources,
- for innovation and development of new production, processing and commercialisation systems for aquaculture products.
Based on the knowledge from the AquaReg partnerships, the partners will facilitate and foster the analysis and exchange of experiences, knowledge and opinions founded on common interest subjects previously identified. These areas will be prioritised and the three regions will look to establish suitable networking methods for further cooperation in these areas of common interest.
A further initiative will be taken to define collaboration strategies between projects during the AquaReg programme operation period, and to work on new proposals for future collaborations, either for new projects or by establishing links, networks or interregional collaboration agreements.
It is the AquaReg ambition that the excellent co-operation and networks already established would continue well into the future.
Further information can be obtained from the BMW Regional Coordinator Alan Drumm alan.drum@marine.ie
Also visit the AquaReg Website.