ABOUT the
Foundations of the SANIFISH project
Changes in the marine environment resulting from climate change present the fishery and aquaculture sector with new challenges, such as the emergence of pathological processes that affect human health. Identifying these using appropriate analytical methods and working in networks to ensure their early detection are essential in a global market. To promote the sector’s resilience and the hygiene and safety standards of products reaching consumers, whilst improving inspection systems and techniques for detecting potential pathogens or biotoxins, it is necessary to enhance production and marketing capabilities, thereby impacting the entire value chain of fishery and aquaculture products.
To this end, a three-tiered approach is proposed:
T1.1.1 Expansion of the existing RASPA Network to include new entities and territories: the Canary Islands, the Azores, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cape Verde, and the signing of an agreement by the new members.
T1.1.2 Scientific exchange for training placements at the ULPGC, ULL and DRMar in Madeira. Students, PhD candidates and technical staff from universities and research institutions in third countries will undertake scientific exchanges with European institutions.
T1.1.3 Technical meetings to analyse the actual needs of the different regions involved in the project, particularly in the Azores, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast and Ghana.
T1.2.1 Analysis at the point of retail sale (markets, etc.) of products imported into the European market (mainly from Senegal and Mauritania). IUSA ULPGC and ULL will focus, amongst other things, on the study of marine biotoxins and the study of zoonotic pathogens and those of veterinary interest.
T1.2.2 Health and safety checks on fisheries and aquaculture products from Macaronesia:
– In the Canary Islands (IUSA ULPGC and ULL), with a particular focus on recreational fishing (strong demand from recreational anglers for this initiative) and aquaculture.
– In Madeira (DRMar), fisheries and aquaculture products. Particular attention will be paid to the presence of ciguatoxins and mercury.
– In Cape Verde, fisheries and aquaculture products: zoonotic pathogens and those of veterinary interest.
T1.3.1 Development of a joint interregional platform (University of Madeira). The objective of this task: – Reporting and identification of cases of infections caused by diseases or toxins linked to fish consumption, enabling the geographical location of the case and the origin of the fish product to be determined.
T1.3.2 Participation in conferences and working groups, both within and outside the scope of the MAC 21-27 Programme.e trabajo, dentro y fuera del espacio de intervención del Programa MAC 21-27.
T1.3.3 Organisation of the Interregional Conference on Scientific Research in Madeira (DRSaúde)
T2.1.1 Encourage the application of quality standards and the carrying out of product analyses during the production, processing or transformation stages, at source, both in Macaronesia and in third countries. In Madeira, the focus will be primarily on the production stage (within the remit of the DRMar).
T2.1.2 2 Promote the acquisition of certificates of origin or quality labels for specific products, particularly in the Azores and Madeira (e.g. ‘Pescado da Madeira’).
T2.1.3 Assessment of the sanitary and commercial quality of fishery products from third countries requesting the service. This task aims to ensure higher commercial quality and safer products from a food safety perspective, and the application of horizontal standards for all countries participating in the project.
The analyses will be carried out on-site in African countries by IUSA ULPGC.
T2.2.1 Analysis of the situation (hygiene and health standards) in local markets in the Macaronesian region and third countries
T2.2.2 Proposals and avenues for improving hygiene standards
T2.2.3 Development of guides to good practice: – Canary Islands (Tenerife): Guide to good practice on the handling of products in
– Third-country markets producing molluscs (Senegal, Ghana, etc.): Development of a guide to good practices in mollusc farming (oysters), including a section on the management of aquaculture waste (e.g. for the management and proposed uses of mollusc shells)
– Other good practice guides of interest to third countries
T2.3.1. Pilot project to improve oyster production and farming techniques in Senegal: procurement of equipment and provision of basic infrastructure that is innovative for the country. Specifically, the aim is to improve the facilities at the public oyster farms in Fatick, Senegal, which are managed by local women’s cooperatives, with a view to replicating this model at other public facilities with potential in other regions.
T2.3.2. Pilot scientific research project for the production of new alternative species (little-known species that can be adapted to the specific conditions of the region, such as sea bass or others) in third countries.
This action focuses on aquaculture activities.
T3.1.1 Development of training and educational materials on various topics of interest, such as feeding and distribution techniques in aquaculture, animal health management, production profitability, food quality and safety, etc
T3.1.2 Identificación de los actores claves Identification of key stakeholders in the sector in each region (CETECIMA). Particular attention will be paid to new members of the partnership and new participating territories.
| T3.1.3 Training for staff in small-scale industries involved in the production, processing and preservation of produce. Participation from the Canary Islands, the Azores, Madeira and third countries. The ULL will also provide external work placements and supervision for final-year dissertations and Master’s theses, both for the Bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Pharmacy and Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and for the Master’s degrees in Research and Diagnosis of Tropical Diseases, Food Safety and Quality, and Marine Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of La Laguna. |
T3.2.1 Training of trainers: innovative knowledge relating to the implementation of pilot actions to improve productivity (training in production techniques for bivalves and/or other species). This is intended specifically for Senegal, where the pilot action will be implemented. It may be extended to other interested third countries.
T3.2.2 Training and advice on analytical techniques.
T3.2.3 Training of trainers in the handling and processing of fishery and aquaculture products.
T3.3.1 Production of information posters and videos, installation of information screens and awareness-raising campaigns in local markets in Africa and Macaronesia.
T1.3.2 Participation in conferences and working groups, both within and outside the scope of the MAC 21-27 Programme.
T3.3.2 2 Provision of basic promotional materials and digital equipment for local markets in third countries (information screens, etc.)