Regional Conference Blue Growth in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: developing sustainable aquaculture for food security, 9–11 December 2014, Bari, Italy

The Regional Conference "Blue Growth in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: developing sustainable aquaculture for food security" was held in Bari, Italy, from 9 to 11 December 2014. It was organized by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (MiPAAF) and the European Commission and in partnership with Eurofish and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This event took place at the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, Institute of Bari (CIHEAM Bari), Italy. The Conference was attended by more than 140 representatives of governments and international organizations, delegates, experts and practitioners from 16 Mediterranean and Black Sea riparian countries. It offered a unique occasion for stakeholders to exchange their views on the most salient issues connected to sustainable aquaculture development in the region, share their experiences, examine challenges ahead and explore potential synergies and cooperation opportunities. In light of emerging economic, social and environmental issues and taking stock of the progress made in aquaculture research and innovation, the Conference acknowledged the key role to be played by the sector in achieving food security, employment and economic development in the region, under a blue growth perspective. All participating countries reached a consensus on the need to foster cooperation and implement coherent and coordinated strategies to face challenges ahead and ensure the sustainable and responsible growth in the sector in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. This event was also marked by the adoption of conclusions and recommendations, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of a GFCM Aquaculture Task Force on a Strategy for the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.