SSF Regional Symposium for Europe
"Bright Spots ~ Hope Spots"

The first SSF Regional Symposium for Europe will take place on July 1-3, 2024 in Cyprus! The symposium will be hosted by IUEM/UBO and TBTI Global, in partnership with the Cypriot Fishers Association, Mulleres Salgadas, and AKTEA, with support from Oak Foundation and OFI Module I.

We are excited to welcome you to Cyprus for the conversation and discussion about ‘Bright Spots ~ Hope Spots’ in small-scale fisheries in Europe. The symposium is a follow-up from the 2022 World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress for Europe, held in Malta, where participants discussed the state of small-scale fisheries in Europe, along with the challenges and the opportunities associated with the sector. Concerns have been raised about the ‘disappearing’ of small-scale fisheries in the region, mostly as a result of demographic and policy changes, as well as pressures from ocean development. Yet, there is a firm belief that, given the right conditions, small-scale fisheries in Europe can thrive and provide for the society in qualities and quantities that no other sector can.

The symposium is an opportunity to share 'bright spots' about small-scale fisheries and their communities in Europe, and what works well in/for them. It also recognizes that while there are still many challenges facing the sector, progress is being made. These are ‘hope spots’ that require further attention. The symposium is organized to foster sharing of experiences, research, lessons and stories, and to encourage in-depth discussions about what more needs to be done to support sustainable small-scale fisheries in Europe, in line with the principles and goals stipulated in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, as well as other European policies.

We look forward to receiving your contribution, and to interacting with you in Cyprus in July 2024.

2024 SSF Regional Symposium for Europe Co-Chairs

Katia Frangoudes Ratana Chuenpagdee

IUEM /UBO TBTI Global

Symposium Format and Call for Participation

Important dates

Call for Abstracts: Closed

Notification on abstract submission: May 1, 2024

Registration deadline: June 15, 2024*

The symposium will be organized as ‘on-site’ only, to facilitate sharing and interactive dialogue. Our goal is to make space for everyone who would like to present their work and to share their perspectives related to small-scale fisheries in the region.

* If you are presenting, please complete your registration by May 31st.

Symposium Registration

The SSF Regional Symposium for Europe is open to anyone interested in conversation about small-scale fisheries in Europe. Speakers are asked to complete the registration form by May 31st to confirm your participation. Registration will remain open for non-presenters peakers until June 15th.

Given the expected size of the symposium (about 20-25 people), there will be no registration fee. You may be asked, however, to pay for lunches, which will be catered to the meeting room on Day 1 and Day 3 (Euro 25 per person per day). You will be responsible to pay for your own lunch at a fishing village on Day 2 (see symposium program).

Disclaimer

By registering for the symposium, you agree that you may be recorded or photographed at this event and that the material may be available for public viewing. Any material collected during the symposium (images, voice, or name) will be used for non-commercial purposes only.

Symposium Program

Purpose

The symposium aims to bring together a group of researchers and practitioners interested in small-scale fisheries in Europe to share current situation and recent development in small-scale fisheries, discuss persisting issues and challenges facing the sector, and explore mechanisms and opportunities to promote sustainable and viable small-scale fisheries in Europe, in line with the principles and goals stipulated in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, as well as other European policies.

It is a follow-up from the 2022 World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress for Europe, held in Malta, where concerns were raised about the ‘disappearing’ of small-scale fisheries in the region, mostly as a result of demographic and policy changes, as well as pressures from ocean development. The symposium is organized to foster sharing of ‘bright spots & hope spots’ in small-scale fisheries in Europe, through presentations and discussion. The program is structured to enable knowledge exchange, reflection, networking, and collaboration.

Format

The symposium is a three-days ‘in-person’ event (no virtual participation), with presentations and discussion all in plenary for everyone to participate in. Regular session will be 90 minutes in duration, with four papers (20 minutes for each presentation), and 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Special session, roundtable discussion, and plenary sessions are meant to be interactive and foster good conversation. A half-day field trip will be organized on Day 2 in the morning for a visit to a fishing village and the coastal area. Lunch and nutrition breaks are provided for Days 1 and 3. Lunch on Day 2 will be at the village (more details to follow).

Program-at-a-glance

Venue

Pervolia, Cyprus

The SSF Regional Symposium for Europe will take place at the Journalists’ Village in Pervolia, Cyprus. The village is located between the historic Lighthouse at Cape Kiti and the Venetian Tower of Regina, only 5 km from the Larnaca International Airport.

Accomodations

Accommodation in the Journalist’s Village

Shared accommodations

The symposium venue offers 13 fully furnished and fully equipped houses:

5 two-bedroom maisonettes (small houses). Each maisonette can accommodate four people and features a living room, kitchen, a bathroom and two toilets. There is one room with a double bed, one room with two single beds and a sofa in the living room;
8 apartments, each of which can accommodate two people and features a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and a bathroom. There is a double bed in the bedroom and a sofa in the living room.

The houses will be reserved for those who are looking for shared accommodations or are coming with a family.

Important information

Booking of the maisonettes or apartments does not include a cleaning service. A separate fee is charged for changing bed linen and renting of towels, including the beach towels. Guests can also bring their own towels.

Prices

Prices vary according to the number of people renting the place. Guests will pay a separate fee if they wish to have the bed linen changed or rent the towels.

Two-room house: 55 euros/per day/per person (VAT included) + 4 euros/per person for bed linen change and the rent of towels. Air conditioning: 70 cents (VAT included) per hour for each air-conditioning unit.

One-room apartment: 45-euros/per person/per day + 4 euros/per person for bed linen change and towel rent. Air conditioning: 70 cents (VAT included) per hour for each air conditioning unit.

Breakfast: The guest can prepare their own breakfast or go to the ENALIA cafeteria/restaurant.

There is a sandy beach 250 meters away from the symposium venue.

If you are interested in booking the shared accommodations in the Journalists’ Village, please contact Katia Frangoudes directly (Katia.Frangoudes@univ-brest.fr). Because the number of shared accommodations is limited, please send your inquiry as soon as possible.

Hotels

The E-hotel is very close to the symposium venue. You can reach the venue by a 10-minute walk from the main road or via a pedestrian path along the seaside. The prices vary according to the dates, the view (sea or land), and whether breakfast is included.

Transportation

The Journalists’ Village is connected by public bus n° 429 with the neighbouring city of Larnaca and the Glafkos Kliridis airport. The bus runs every hour in the direction of Perivolia, and the bus stop is Faros. The trip takes 20 minutes.

The taxi from the airport to the Journalists’ Village or e-hotel costs around 25 euros.

Accommodation near or outside the Journalist’s Village

Larnaka Mackenzie area is situated between the beach and Salt Lake of Larnaka. It is a quiet area, a little further away from the symposium venue than the Journalists’ Village.

If you want to stay in Larnaca, you can choose the Mackenzie area, as it is the closest to the conference venue and it is a less busy part of Larnaca. You can use a taxi, rent a car, or take bus 429 to reach the symposium venue. You can also use bus 429 to reach the Finikoudes (the center of Larnaca) from the venue.

The following hotels can be found in the Larnaka Mackenzie area:

LIV Urbana

The Cio Stelio boutique hotel

La Veranda hotel

Airbnb’s are also an option near the Journalists Village (rooms, apartments or houses).