Sustainable Fishing Training and Awareness Week (MSC)

Objectives

To build capacity to interpret and apply the MSC fisheries standard.
To train professionals who can support improvement and certification processes (future assessors and technical staff).
To share real-world experiences on sustainability and certification across the value chain.
To establish Bermeo as a leading centre for knowledge, specialised training and best practice in sustainable fisheries management.
To introduce key concepts of sustainable fishing to the local community, with a focus on tuna due to its economic, social and cultural significance.

Programme

2–5 February

Level 2 Course: “Working Towards MSC Certification”

Advanced technical training focused on interpreting and applying the MSC Fisheries Standard v2.01, based on three principles:

P1: Sustainable fish stocks
P2: Minimisation of environmental impacts
P3: Effective management of the fishery

Format: preliminary online sessions (≈30 hours) + three intensive in-person days with practical exercises, real-life case studies and Q&A sessions.

Venue: Puertos del Muelle Erroxape office (Bermeo).

3 February

Experience from the fleet (side event)
Meeting at the Alakrana restaurant to learn about the experience of an MSC certification process applied to tropical tuna purse seine fishing in the Indian Ocean.

4 February

The processing sector’s perspective (side event)
Meeting at the Conservas Arroyabe showroom to discuss the strategic value of working with certifiers such as MSC and market perception.

The side events conclude with a tasting of MSC-certified products, linking sustainable management and the market.

School workshop: sustainable fishing

An educational workshop for Year 5 and 6 primary school pupils at various schools in Bermeo (Eleizalde Ikastola, Sagrado Corazón Ikastetxea and San Frantzisko Herri Ikastetxea), as part of the MSC’s educational programme.

Practical information

Dates: 2–5 February 2026
Venue: Bermeo (Erroxape Quay Port Office + partner venues)
Focus: technical training (MSC standard) + outreach + connection with the realities of the sector

Bermeo Tuna

Our network

Sustainable Fishing Training and Awareness Week (MSC)