US and Spain formalises aquaculture partnership

A new agreement to enhance collaboration between the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FAD) and the Spanish Fundación Philippe Cousteau was signed on January 28, 2010.

This accord strengthens the cooperation already active between both organisations. Over the last six years, the FAD collaborated with the foundation in making presentations of FAO's work at a number of regional workshops in North and West Africa.

The partnership is expected to:

• Strengthen collaboration with the foundation to disseminate FAD's work within their own networks in Africa and in Spain
  
  
• Create synergies between the two organisations for the benefit of national and regional fisheries administrations and regional fisheries organisations
  
  
• Establish strategic partnerships through common work in communications, development of international standards and guidelines towards sustainable fisheries, including training in safety and working conditions for fishermen and fishworkers
  
  
• Increase participation of the foundation in FAD's activities such as the Committee on Fisheries, and in food security and other related areas

The signing ceremony was headed by FAD assistant director-general Ichiro Nomura and Fundación Philippe Cousteau president Admirante Gabriel Portal.