Women aquaculture professionals from eight Mediterranean and Black Sea countries have completed an advanced leadership programme designed to strengthen investment readiness and support women’s role in a fast-changing aquatic food sector. The 2026 Women in Aquaculture training series took place in İzmir, Türkiye, from 19 to 21 January, combining technical site visits with peer exchange and expert input. Participants compared operational and business models and assessed how innovation and sustainability shape financial viability in practice.
The programme targeted women working across aquaculture value chains who are seeking to scale operations, improve performance, and navigate increasingly complex production and regulatory requirements. Organised by the FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, in partnership with the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, with the involvement of FEAP member Aegean Exporters’ Associations, and with support from the European Union, the workshop also strengthened regional networking for continued collaboration. Eurofish was part of the previous Spain edition, joining company visits that showcased Spanish innovation and sustainability, including an ASC-certified indoor farm, a leading caviar producer, and a fish-feed facility.
