fishermen training

Training Seminars for Fishermen Four training seminars for fishermen were conducted as part of the aliAmvra Project.  The seminars addressed the fishermen of the Ambracian Gulf during a period, which is characterized by a reduction in fish stocks, the presence of invasive species, and the degradation of the environment, particularly aquatic ecosystems. The seminars aimed to inform the fishermen about the current state and future developments, help them understand existing risks, and explore possibilities to decelerate the decline course of fishing grounds. Additionally, the seminars aimed to make the significant advantages of the Gulf understandable to the fishermen of the Ambracian Gulf, such as its uniqueness and specific characteristics, making their fishing products competitive and, in many cases, unique. Beyond that, the seminars sought to enhance the moral status of fishermen in the social context as a symbol of history and social relationships. The seminars lasted 30 hours and took place in the region of Arta (Epirus, Greece). In distinct sessions, specialized speakers delivered presentations, informing the members of the fishing cooperatives in Arta and local professional fishermen on topics such as environmental management, sustainable fishing practices, recycling and circular economy, biodiversity, and the unique ecosystem of the Ambracian Gulf. The content also covered the historical ‘course’ of the Gulf, and the specific genetic, biochemical, and qualitative characteristics of Ambracian Guld fish, influenced by the presence of specific nutrients in its lagoon (phytoplankton and zooplankton). Furthermore, the seminars addressed the risks to the Gulf’s existence, including pollution issues, the presence of heavy metals and invasive species. First Training Seminar for Fishermen The first fishermen training seminar comprised 5 meetings with the fishermen and the members of the fishing cooperatives from the Ambracian Gulf area and the broader area of Arta. These meetings were held in the conference room of the former City Hall of the Amvrakikos Municipality.  Second Training Seminar for Fishermen The second fishermen training seminar comprised 5 meetings with fishermen and members of fishing cooperatives from the Ambracian Gulf area and the broader region of Arta, specifically from villages with significant fishing traditions (Aneza, Psathotopi, Koronisia, etc.). These meetings were also held in the conference room of the former City Hall of the Amvrakikos Municipality.  Third Training Seminar for Fishermen The third fishermen training seminar involved 5 meetings with fishermen and members of fishing cooperatives from the village of Koronisia. These meetings were hosted in the picturesque fishing village of Koronisia. Fourth Training Seminar for Fishermen The fourth fishermen training seminar comprised 5 meetings with the fishermen of the Association of Free Fishermen of the Nikolaos Skoufas Municipality “o Arachthos”, and fishermen from the wider area of the Nikolaos Skoufas Municipality. The initial three meetings were held in the Parapotamio Park of Neochori village, with the last two taking place in Kopraina.

The Content of Meetings & the Speaker Presentations For each of the 4 training seminars for fishermen, a program was prepared a priori with presentations from expert speakers, which was faithfully followed in all meetings. In the first meeting, after the initial briefing of the participants on the progress, actions, and goals of the aliAmvra project by a representative of the Project Team, presentations by specialized speakers followed. The presenter at the first meeting of each seminar was ichthyologist Evangelia Gouva, E.DI.P. member of the Department of Agriculture of the University of Ioannina, who conducted a three-hour informative presentation entitled “People and Ambracian Gulf: A Life Story.” The second presenter was Dimitris Barellos, environmental manager at the Management Unit of Acheloos Valley and Amvrakikos Gulf Protected Areas of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A), who mentioned, in his presentation entitled “Biodiversity and the Ecosystem of the Ambracian Gulf”, to the ecological importance of the Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park, as well as the significance of Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park for the bird population. In the second meeting, the first presenter was Mr. Barellos, who elaborated on the topic “The Ambracian Gulf as a Protected Area.” The program continued with Ms. Gouva’s presentation. As an ichthyologist, she delivered a two-hour informative presentation entitled “Ambracian is dying,” in which she briefly addressed the problems leading to the “slow death” of the Ambracian Gulf. In the third meeting, the first presenter was Ms. Gouva, who introduced “Biological, Genetic, Biochemical, and Quality Characteristics of Ambracian Gulf Fish (Sardine, shrimp, Grey Mullet).” This was followed by Mr. Nathanailidis’s presentation titled “Dynamics of Fish Populations – The Issue of Fisheries Management,” in which he initially discussed the fish species living and reproducing in the Ambracian Gulf, followed by the issue of fisheries management. In the fourth meeting, Mr. Nathanailidis presented, in his presentation entitled “Pollution Issues in the Ambracian Gulf”, the main environmental problems and threats faced by the Gulf. Subsequently, Mr. Barellos addressed the urgent issue of climate change. In his presentation entitled “Pollution in the Ambracian – Impact of Climate Change,” he discussed the future problems that climate change could bring to the Ambracian Gulf. The topic highlighted in the fifth meeting by Ms. Gouva was “Heavy Metals and Their Impact on Aquatic Organisms.” The second presenter was Professor Kosmas Nathanailidis from the Department of Agriculture at the University of Ioannina. In his two-hour informative presentation titled “How Much is Ambracian Gulf at Risk from Invasive Species?” he discussed the potential threats posed by invasive species to the Ambracian Gulf.

Fishermen’s Educational Visits Following the completion of the 1st and 2nd training seminars for fishermen, the first educational visit for participants to the lagoon of Mesolongi took place on October 22, 2023. Similarly, after the completion of the 3rd and 4th seminars, the second visit for participants to the lagoon of Mesolongi took place on November 26, 2023. The program for these visits included a visit to the Local Hub, where participants had the opportunity to closely acquaint themselves with the work of the organization Messolonghi By Locals. 1st Educational Visit 2nd Educational Visit As part of the visit, Professor Ioannis Kladas from the University of Patras delivered two presentations. The first was titled “Introduction to the Mesolongi Lagoon and its Productivity in Comparison to Other Greek Lagoons.” The second presentation focused on “Lagoons as Ecosystems.” Subsequently, educational activities were conducted at the lagoon, such as traditional boat rides accompanied by theoretical analysis from an environmentalist of the organization Messolonghi By Locals, fish salting at the fishermen’s house, to the traditional pelades, followed by a visit to the Salt Museum.