The Casa del Mar in Palamós will host the OPP91 Conference on October 23, 2025, a benchmark event for the Mediterranean fishing sector.
The gathering will bring together professionals, institutional representatives, and experts to discuss the major challenges and opportunities facing fisheries in the Mediterranean.
The aim of the conference is to share experiences, foster debate on regulation and sustainability, and open new horizons in marketing and technological innovation. It will also provide a platform to exchange strategies that strengthen the role of Fish Producers’ Organisations (OPPs) in managing and defending a sector that is vital to the territory.
The program includes presentations, round tables, and thematic sessions focused on key issues such as fisheries management and regulation, product marketing and added value, access to European funds, the adoption of new technologies for fishing fleets, and the role of science in ensuring the sustainability of the sector.
“With this meeting of dialogue, we want to highlight the importance of collaboration between institutions, fishermen, scientists, and organizations to continue building the present and future of the fishing sector,” says Cristina Mañas, manager of OPP-91.
The conference will conclude with a lunch at the Espai del Peix and a guided visit to the fishing port of Palamós, giving participants the opportunity to experience first-hand how the fish auction and the processing facilities operate.
Program
09:00 h – 09:15h
Institutional welcome by Juan Manuel Elices, Deputy Director General for National Fishing Grounds and EU Waters; Itziar Segarra, Deputy Director General for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Fisheries Structures of the Government of Catalonia; the Hon. Mayor of Palamós, Ms. Maria Puig; and Miquel Mir, President of OPP91.
09:15h – 09:30h
Presentation OPP91
Cristina Mañas, OPP91
09:30h – 10:30h Round Table
BLOCK 1 – Fisheries Management
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Miquel Mir, OPP91 Palamós
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Toni Abad, OPP96 Cap de Creus
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Inmaculada Carrasco, OPP85 Motril
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José López, Cofradía de Santa Pola
10:30h – 11:00h
BLOCK 2 – Fisheries Regulation in the Mediterranean
Juan Manuel Elices, Deputy Director General for National Fishing Grounds and EU Waters
11:00h – 11:20h
Coffee break
11:30h – 12:00h
BLOCK 3 – Marketing and Added Value
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Miren Garmendia, OPEGUI
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José Antonio Díez, Cofradía de Santa Pola
12:00h – 12:30h
BLOCK 4 – FEMPA and the Role of OPPs
Itziar Segarra, Deputy Director General for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Fisheries Structures of the Government of Catalonia
12:30h – 13:00h
BLOCK 5 – Technology Adapted to Fishing Fleets
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Inmaculada Carrasco, OPP85 Motril
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Miren Garmendia, OPEGUI
13:00h – 14:00h Round Table
BLOCK 6 – Science and Sustainability Applied to Fisheries Management
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Julio Agujetas, MSC
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Joan Batista, ICATMAR-CSIC
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Raúl García, WWF
14:00h – 14:15h
Closing Remarks
Antoni Espanya, Director General for Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries of the Government of Catalonia
14:15h – 15:15h
Lunch at Espai del Peix
15:45h – 17:00h
Guided Visit to the Fishing Port of Palamós, including the fish auction and processing facilities
