(MWN / 29-09-09)  After four days of events, visits and negotiations, the Executive Committee of World Fishing Exhibition 2009 has expressed its “high degree of satisfaction” with the results obtained in this sixth edition of the exhibition. Alfonso Paz-Andrade, president of the Committee, has stressed in particular the “professionalism” and “internationalization” of WFE 2009 in Vigo, Spain.

“I have the shared sense of having accomplished our mission. We close a World Fishing Exhibition with high-tech level and high-level of participants,” the president explained. Alfonso Paz-Andrade has also transmitted the high satisfaction of the exhibitors, -from over 50 countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan and Russia-, as well as the international pavilions request to shorten the periodicity of the World Fishing Exhibition.

The Regional Minister do Mar, Rosa Quintana, and the CEO of World Trade Exhibitions (technical organizer of WFE 2009), Andrew Webster have also expressed their appreciation of WFE 2009. The Responsible of Fishing in Galicia has stressed the importance of the sea for this region, stating that “Vigo has become the world capital of fishing.” Andrew Webster did not want to forget in his speech the entire staff of the Ferial Institute of Vigo (IFEVI) which has participated these days in the Exhibition, and he has said that WFE 2009 has been “a truly international business.”

OS MIÑARZOS, WORLD REFERENCE

One of the strengths of this edition of the World Fishing Exhibition in Spain has been a monographic exhibition about the Fisheries Reserve in Miñarzos Os (A Coruña), a world reference for sustainable fisheries. It is an exhibition that tries to show the public the efforts made by fishermen from Lira in obtaining a profitable and environmentally friendly fishing.

During the exhibition the documentary produced by WWF, “Net Gains”, which includes 5 cases of good fishing practices in Europe, was presented in world premiere. The first part of it is about Os Miñarzos. With this documentary, WWF aims to sensitize politicians and managers about initiatives and management models to consider and support in the context of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy that began in 2010.

The exhibition of WWF, Obra Social Caja Madrid and Telefónica, is for all audiences, especially for children. It invites visitors to learn the example and personal experience of fishermen in Lira, who have directly participated in creating Os Miñarzos Fisheries Reserve. This is a participatory model to follow for other fishing communities concerned with the sustainable management of marine resources.

In the exhibition we can see from a bird’s eye view the reserve of Os Miñarzos, knowing the limits of the protected space and the most important coastal of Carnot. It is a visual overview of the main natural and fishery values of the Reserve.

A YEAR OF TRAVELLING EXHIBITION

Visitors will learn some of the traditional fishing gear of vessels that have always fishing in the Reserve, besides knowing the most abundant species and other curiosities. Also, they will enjoy a replica of the lighthouse in Os Miñarzos, from which they will discover the biological richness and the landscapes of the reserve.

After its presentation in Vigo, the exhibition will travel to Lira and for a year it will tour some of the main fishing villages in the Galician coast.

Together with the exhibition of Os Miñarzos, WWF presented at the World Fishing Exhibition some initiatives on responsible fisheries of the organization in Central America, Argentina and Europe.

“With this exhibition, WWF, Telefonica de España and Obra Social Caja Madrid want to raise the effort of fishermen from Lira to the inhabitants of the Reserve. During its tour, the exhibition aims to explain the working and participatory management model. The reserve is still young and there are many challenges to secure its success, but it has been shown that the sector is able to take the helm of its future and work together to ensure its livelihood and preserving the sea,” says Juan Carlos del Olmo, Secretary General of WWF Spain.

Fisheries Reserve Os Miñarzos is a pioneering initiative not only because it is the first one in Galicia, but also because it has become reality thanks to the initiative of the fisheries sector in the area, joining fishermen, scientists, social foundations, environmentalists and private enterprises in favour of sustainable fisheries, in addition to institutional support of the Xunta de Galicia and other administrations.