The power of innovation: preserving and relaunching the Mediterranean through an Experimental Marine Area
From today until 21 October we celebrate the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, a forum entirely dedicated to science, technology and innovation for the transformation of agri-food systems. Science and innovation are in fact two crucial issues to recreate agro-food systems capable of promoting better production, nutrition, able to respect the environment, ensure a better life for all and above all "to leave no one behind"as the theme of the International Food Day, just passed, recalls.
On that occasion, we are proud that our Paideia Campus in Pollica - official partner of the European network of Cities 2030 - has been selected from among the organisers of side events at the FAO Forum (Side-event) through the virtual event "Co-Creating An Experimental Marine Area In The Mediterranean Context: Fostering Science And Innovation To Support The Mediterranean Diet And Heritage"moderated by Domenico Letizia.
A magnificent choir with multiple voices, those of the guests involved in the webinar that in the first place are all active parties in thecreation of the first Experimental Marine Area of the Mediterranean that shared some of the fundamental ingredients to make the Mare Nostrum a model of inspiration (and replication) of models of integral ecological regeneration.
True innovation is what we do together
A lasting future can only be built by combining technology with the culture and know-how of men. This is the reason behind the ambition to create the first Experimental Marine Area of the Mediterranean, imagined to balance man and sea, fishing and respect for marine biodiversity and that will cross the Mediterranean, from Castellabate to Sapri.
We are used to hearing about a stop fishing to give time to the sea to regenerate, but the reality is that the fishing that supports the Mediterranean Diet is made of fishermen as well as marine ecosystems; fishermen who before us had found the perfect balance with their sea. A perfect example of this is the technique of fishing for menaica anchovies, which comes from classical Greece and has always been able to hold together quality of fishing, biodiversity protection, survival of fishermen.
"The Experimental Marine Area is not done through technique, but together, in the union of the community of the sea, through co-participation." - recalled the Mayor of Pollica, Stefano Pisani.
A community that does not see fishermen as subjects that subtract resources from the sea but sentinels, deep connoisseurs and true guardians of the sea to whom to also entrust technologies to maximize their role and ensure their survival.
Exploitation and traceability of fish: the example of Surefish
If the protection of the Mediterranean also passes by the protection of its fishermen, it is clear the potential of technologies, such as the blockchain, capable of ensuring a greater traceability (and authenticity) of the catch. This is a clear example Surefish, un Progetto che Vede coinvolti 13 partner del Mar Mediterraneo ( Egitto, Italia, Libano, Spagna e Tunisia), tra cui Slow Food Tebourba Association, Gi. &Me. Association, ENCO SRL e l'Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.
A project capable of extending the concept of sustainability "from fisherman to consumer" as recalled Franz Martinelli, president of Gi. &Me. Association, thus directly counteracting harmful forms of fishing such as illegal fishing or poaching. But as he also clearly explained Giovanni Fiorile, PhD student of Federico II University of Naples, Surefish alongside traceability to ensure authenticity of Mediterranean fish products strives in communication campaigns to guide consumers in choosing local and sustainable seafood.
Educating innovation or innovating by educating?
While it is clear that the fil rouge from the sea and from fishing vessels reaches consumers, it is also clear how essential it is to ensure continuous bridges of dialogue. Here too, the knowledge and wisdom of small Mediterranean fishermen is a heritage that must be protected and spread. Because fishermen are in fact rare connoisseurs of the balance of the sea, they should be elected to real educators. Bringing children directly to the sea, accelerating meetings with those who experience the Mediterranean daily, is part of the activities of science, innovation and future that pursues the Mediterranean Marine Experimental Area, encouraging forms of training on the field, but also facilitating greater meetings and exchanges of knowledge between fishermen and restaurateurs, in order to make the most of seasonal products and "poor" fish through recipes and cooking techniques suitable, spreading awareness activities to citizens (local and not).
"Science, innovation, the future, means that children must be trained. And in this sense, training can only come from the sea" – Sara Roversi, President of the Future Food Institute.
All this has the potential to make the community of small fishermen a real educational community.
Diversification and integration: two sides of the same coin
Only through persistent activities of education and awareness on the territory is it possible to understand the crucial role that each of us, through our food choices, can have in shaping more resilient and regenerative agro-food systems.
Giuseppe Palma, Secretary General at Assoittica Italy, has clearly recalled: "only through a diversification of the consumption of fish products is it possible to distribute the income to all fishermen, ensuring greater environmental sustainability, business, process".
There can be no lasting change if the effort is not integrated, integral and participatory. From final consumers to policies that must now be integrated as never before to be ready to translate the necessary ecological, energy and food transition, collaboration and diversification are two key aspects.
On the other hand it would be enough to be "more ambitious in our perspectives and expectations" as he pointed out Rosalba Giugnipresident of Marevivo Onlus, to remember how together we can really make a difference.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the City of Pollica, Future Food Institute, Assoittica, Marevivo and Gi. &Me. Association was the beginning of a path of co-creation and co-planning that led 14 Municipalities of the Cilento coast to unite for a common intent: regenerate the Mediterranean Sea starting from the role of its fishermen, A true intangible heritage for the protection of marine ecosystems and the survival of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
A path that can inspire, be adapted and implemented also other Municipalities or other Living Labs in Europe and in the world to increase resilience, sustainability and inclusivity from below, so that agri-food systems more resilient, become a widespread reality.
