The BOUTCAR project[1] successfully concluded its three-year journey with two final events held in Brussels on 30 June and 1 July 2026, bringing together project partners, representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, education and training providers, industry representatives and stakeholders from across Europe’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. The consortium presented an innovative learning pathway for young people and adults in the blue economy, aimed at developing a highly qualified and skilled workforce to support sustainable blue growth and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s coastal and maritime sectors. The BOUTCAR consortium gathered in Brussels for its final meeting to review achievements and finalise remaining deliverables, while ensuring that project results are effectively implemented in educational programmes beyond its lifetime.
The project culminated with the BOUTCAR Final Conference at the European Parliament, kindly hosted by MEP Giuseppe Lupo, with the key participation of MEP Francisco Millán Mon. MEPs underlined the importance of placing people, skills and knowledge at the centre of fisheries and aquaculture policy, ensuring training and qualifications are adapted to a rapidly evolving sector, particularly in the context of current structural challenges, while also highlighting the need for adequate funding and harmonised fisheries standards.
Representatives from the European Commission, Ms Paredes (DG MARE) and Ms Krivmane (DG EMPL), highlighted EU initiatives on skills and careers in the blue economy, including the Blue Generational Renewal Strategy, the Ocean Pact and the Pact for Skills. DG MARE stressed the importance of making blue careers more attractive to younger generations, while DG EMPL emphasised investment in people through vocational education, recognised qualifications and lifelong learning.
Project Coordinator Ms Laura Zambrini (Demetra Formazione) presented the main achievements of BOUTCAR, highlighting the development of new training curricula, skills mapping activities and pilot actions carried out across Italy, Spain and Greece, which tested innovative and practice-oriented learning pathways for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Project partners also presented key results and experiences from implementation, including Juan Pablo Pérez Gómez (ARVI, Spain), Dr George Triantaphyllidis (University of Patras, Greece), Massimo Bellavista (Legacoop Emilia-Romagna, Italy) and Piergiorgio Vasi (Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy). Their contributions highlighted the relevance of the training tools developed and the importance of strengthening cooperation between education providers, policymakers, industry and regional stakeholders.
Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche, stated: “The successful completion of BOUTCAR demonstrates the value of investing in people and skills to secure the future of Europe’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. These results will continue to support a more competitive, resilient and sustainable blue economy.”
The BOUTCAR consortium thanks MEP Giuseppe Lupo for hosting the Final Conference at the European Parliament, MEP Francisco Millán Mon for his valuable contribution, Ms Paredes (DG MARE) and Ms Krivmane (DG EMPL) for sharing the European Commission’s strategic actions on skills and compentences, and all project partners, speakers and participants for their commitment throughout the project. Special thanks to Mathilde Nouvel, Europêche Project and Communication Officer, for organising and supporting the delivery of both the Consortium Meeting and the Final Conference.
[1] https://boutcar.eu/
Ends
Press contact:
Europêche – Mathilde Nouvel, Project and Communication Officer – mathilde.nouvel@europeche.org – +32 470 57 41 82
