On April 20th, 2023 the RESISTANCE project thematic workshop entitled “Environmental hazards and management of Adriatic fishing ports”, organized by the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, took
place in Chioggia at the premises of Palazzo Grassi. All project partners, invited speakers and representatives of local authorities and bodies participated at the event.
After an introduction to the conference by Prof. Giulio Pojana (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), project partner and Coordinator of the ML-REPAIR cluster project, and a brief overview of ECOMAP and RESISTANCE projects by the representative of the Lead Partner, Mrs. Andrijana Dedić (Municipality of Podstrana), invited experts displayed and explained their presentations regarding legislation, innovative projects, aquaculture and fisheries-related to small port management and marine litter issue in the Adriatic Sea.
Andrea Gugnali (M.A.R.E. Cooperative) exposed a law analysis of the EU Directive 2019/883 on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships. Francesca Ronchi (ISPRA – Chioggia) presented the project Mo.Ri.net, a new Fishing for Litter (FfL) activity in Sardinia Region.
Angela Maini (Emilia – Romagna Region) illustrated policy, legislation, and best practices linked to plastic-free fishing and aquaculture.
Prof. Vlatka Bilas (University of Zagreb – Faculty of Economics and Business) exhibited the advantages of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund program for Croatia 2021-2027 in relation to Croatian fishing ports activities.
Afterward, a round table discussion took place with the participation of Luigino Pelà (Pila Fish Market Director), Angela Nazzaruolo (Flag Emilia – Romagna Director), Alessandro Faccioli (Coldiretti Veneto fishing company manager). Prof. Giulio Pojana acted as moderator of the round table, where current hazards and new ideas concerning the risks and opportunities related to small ports and the consequent protection of the Adriatic Sea and coast were discussed. The main
issues addressed between the public and the experts were the need to support fishermen in the FfL activities and the reuse (recycling) of collected marine waste.