The government delegate in Galicia, Pedro Blanco, reaffirmed this morning in Vigo the government’s commitment to training to advance a fair, responsible and sustainable fisheries management. The delegate opened the Advanced International Course of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance on board the School Vessel and Fisheries Cooperation ‘Intermares’, “a unique space where training, international experience and the determined commitment to cooperation in the fisheries sector converge.” The delegate was accompanied at this inauguration by the Assistant Director-General for Coordination and Management of the General Secretariat for Fisheries, Borja Carmona.
Pedro Blanco highlighted the relevance that formations such as this have for the present and future of fishing: “They are the best proof of the firm commitment of the Government in the fight against illegal or unreported or regulated fishing, which is expressed through the training program of these classes, launched by the General Secretariat of Fisheries.” In addition, he valued the environment in which these presentations will be made, which will have students from a dozen countries, because “the ‘Intermares’ is much more than a boat: it is a true floating university, equipped with the necessary means and conditions to offer high-level technical training in fisheries”.
The delegate stressed the impulse of the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Defense to this initiative, “an example of collaboration in the service of knowledge and sustainable development, one of the signs of identity of this Government, convinced that only through specialized training can we move towards a fairer, more responsible and more environmentally committed fishing”.
A course of the highest level
Over the next few weeks, this course that begins today on the vessel ‘Intermares’ will allow participants to acquire a comprehensive and practical vision of fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance systems —known as MCS (Monitoring, Control and Surveillance)—. These systems constitute an essential pillar in fisheries management, enabling States to carry out effective policies for the conservation of marine resources and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Precisely in order to make progress in this regard, the course aims to provide attendees with the necessary capacities to actively contribute to the sustainability of fisheries resources and more effective governance and management of the oceans.
The delegate highlighted the participation in this edition of the course organized by the FAO of students from partner countries of Spain such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Uruguay, “with which we are linked historical, cultural and cooperation ties, as well as common interests in the sustainable management of fisheries resources.” In this regard, he thanked the FAO for this project, celebrating its multiculturalidade and pointing out “the impetus provided by a modern and sustainable fishing sector”, as well as all the personnel of the Navy that operates the ship and the teaching team themselves, “guarantees of quality training”.
Pedro Blanco reaffirms in Vigo the Government’s commitment to training to advance a fair, responsible and sustainable fisheries management
07/07/2025
The delegate highlighted the firm commitment of the Government in the fight against illegal fishing, “which is evidenced by initiatives such as this”, where students from a dozen countries participate. He stressed the impulse of the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Defense to this training, “an example of collaboration in the service of knowledge and development” He thanked FAO, the Navy and the ship’s teaching staff for their work, “guaranteeing a modern and sustainable fishing sector”.