Aquatic food value chains, derived from industrial and small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, play a crucial role in global food security and livelihoods

Organisation

Key reasons to attend this course

Understand the sustainability challenges of aquatic food value chains
Analyse functions of sustainable aquatic food value chains through mapping
Evaluate market trends, requirements and access conditions
Apply stakeholder analysis and explore enabling environments
Identify pathways to enhance market access and value addition while minimising environmental and social impacts
Explore inclusive, circular and equitable value chain models
Learn about governance mechanisms and how to develop strategies for sustainable aquatic food value chains

Guest lecturers

Avadí, Angel - CIRAD, Montpellier (France)
De Las Peñas Rivero, Francisco Javier - MAPA-SGP, Madrid (Spain)
Fernández Polanco, José M. - Univ. Cantabria, Santander (Spain)
Guillotreau, Patrice – IRD, Sète (France)
Ichibane, Mohammed - FAO, Rome (Italy)
Kelling, Ingrid - Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom)
Lem, Audun - FAO, Rome (Italy)
Peñarubia, Omar Riego - FAO, Rome (Italy)
Romuld, Bree - FAO, Rome (Italy)

Applied approach

Leading experts

Face-to-face and online

Programme

Timetable Brochure
  • 1. Opening (welcome and introduction of participants) (1 hour)
  • 2. Introduction to aquatic food value chains (3 hours)
    • 2.1. Role of aquatic food systems within food systems in general
    • 2.2. What we mean by sustainable aquatic value chains
      • 2.2.1. The concept of value chains (national, regional and global)
      • 2.2.2. Understanding sustainability (opportunities and challenges)
      • 2.2.3. Aquatic food value chain actors and their roles
      • 2.2.4. Product, information, and financial flows in the chain (value chain mapping)
    • 2.3. Participants’ presentations about their own country’s value chains
  • 3. Functional analysis and mapping of sustainable aquatic food value chains (6 hours)
    • 3.1. Input-output and linkage analysis
    • 3.2. Impact factors and spillover effects of the demand for fish
    • 3.3. Price formation and transmission along the chain
    • 3.4. Value Chain Analysis methodologies
      • 3.4.1. Fish4ACP, FAO
      • 3.4.2. VCA4D, European Commission
    • 3.5. Group work on VCA serious game or mapping and analysis of participants’ own value chains (2 hours)
  • 4. Market access and trade for sustainability (6 hours)
    • 4.1. Equity aspects and food security
    • 4.2. Market trends and consumer preferences
    • 4.3. Sustainability, certifications and labels: opportunities and challenges
    • 4.4. Traceability, transparency and regulatory compliance
    • 4.5. Local networks and community-supported fisheries
  • 5. Stakeholders and enabling environment (5 hours) (FAO lecturers)
    • 5.1. Stakeholder analysis (FAO sustainable food value chain framework)
      • 5.1.1. Role of producer’s organisations
      • 5.1.2. Support institutions and services (infrastructure, fish landing, logistics, energy, R&D, education, fish safety laboratories, export promotions, information, etc.)
    • 5.2. Policy and regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable value chains
    • 5.3. Collaborative governance and public-private partnerships
    • 5.4. Financing and investment mechanisms for sustainability
    • 5.5. Case study. Producer’s organisations (Spain)
    • 5.6. Group work on stakeholder analysis of aquatic food value chains
  • 6. Pathways for more sustainable aquatic food value chains (6 hours)
    • 6.1. Value addition and efficient resource use
    • 6.2. By-product utilisation, and reduction of food loss and waste (FAO FLW)
    • 6.3. The contribution of technology (digital platforms; blockchains; AI) and innovation to sustainability
    • 6.4. Sustainable business models (circular, doughnut, cooperative)
    • 6.5. Building inclusive and equitable value chains (gender equity, indigenous knowledge, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and smallholder participation in seafood value chains)
  • 7. Governance and strategies for sustainable aquatic food value chains (5 hours)
    • 7.1. Assessing economic, social and environmental impacts and SWOT of existing value chains
    • 7.2. Strategic planning for value chain improvement
    • 7.3. Governance mechanisms for strategy formulation and implementation
    • 7.4. Impact measurement and monitoring of interventions
    • 7.5. Group work on upgrading sustainable value chains
  • 8. Final discussion and conclusions (1 hour)

Train at an outstanding international institution

Registration

The course is designed for professionals with a university degree, and is directed at policy makers, market analysts, value chain actors, technical specialists and researchers involved in aquatic food chains and their transition to sustainability.

-25 places will be available for face-to-face participation (32 hours, lectures, case study, and practical work).
-25 places will be available for online participation (26 hours, lectures and case study).

Knowledge of English will be valued in the selection of candidates.

Candidates may apply online at the following address: https://www.admission.zaragoza.ciheam.org/en/

Applications must include a curriculum vitae and copy of the supporting documents most related to the subject of the course.

The original deadline for application submission was 22 June 2025. An extension has been granted exclusively for candidates not applying for a scholarship.

Registration fees for the course amount to 500 euro for face-to-face participation and 350 euro for online participation. This sum covers tuition fees only.

Candidates from the FAO and CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye) may apply for scholarships covering registration fees, and for scholarships covering the cost of travel and full board accommodation in Zaragoza.

Preference will be given to candidates from low-and medium-income countries. Candidates that wish to request financial support should complete the relevant section when making their online application to participate in the course.

Candidates from other countries who require financial support should apply directly to other national or international institutions.

It is compulsory for participants to have medical insurance valid for Spain. Proof of insurance cover must be given at the beginning of the course. Those who so wish may participate in a collective insurance policy taken out by the Organisation, upon payment of the stipulated sum.

CIHEAM Zaragoza

Av. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain

www.zaragoza.ciheam.org

iamz@zaragoza.ciheam.org

+34 976716000

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