From 21 to 23 April 2026, Santander hosted the 1st Iberian Congress on Artisanal Fisheries (CIPA2026), organised by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) and the HUMUH research group (Human Pressure Ecology Research Team). The event brought together researchers, stakeholders and professionals from across the fisheries sector to discuss current challenges and future opportunities for artisanal fisheries in the Iberian Peninsula.
The congress addressed a wide range of topics closely connected to the objectives of the SMART4SEA project, including sustainability of fishery resources, marine spatial planning, climate change adaptation, blue economy, governance, seafood value chains, consumer trends, traceability and sustainability certification systems.
Several sessions highlighted the growing importance of improving transparency and sustainability across seafood value chains, as well as the need for adaptive and science-based approaches to support resilient coastal communities and fisheries systems. Discussions also explored the role of digital tools, spatial data, stakeholder participation and new market dynamics in shaping the future of artisanal fisheries.
As part of the event, research previously developed within the NEPTUNUS project, considered a predecessor of SMART4SEA, was presented through the poster “Sustaining Blue Foods through the Water–Energy–Seafood Nexus: Insights from the Atlantic Area”. The work contributed to ongoing discussions on environmental sustainability and resource management within seafood systems.
Participation in and engagement with forums such as CIPA2026 reinforces the relevance of SMART4SEA in addressing key environmental, social and economic challenges currently faced by the Atlantic seafood sector, while strengthening connections between research, stakeholders and real-world sector needs.
