MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Spanish cooperation program for Uruguayan fishing industry experts

Research vessel “Intermares”

Uruguayan fish industry instructors, technicians and professionals concluded this week a twenty day training course sponsored by Spain’s Ministry of environment, rural and marine affairs, on board the Spanish scientific research vessel Intermares.

The theoretical and training course which ended in Montevideo was done under the “Cooperation program for Training in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture”.

The course consisted in lectures and hands-on activities aboard the auxiliary boat, which is located at the stern of the Spanish vessel.

The six themes were: Use of selective fishing gear; Oceanography; Techniques for handling, storing and processing fish; Basic security on board; Fishing gear and fishing technology and Maintenance of service machines.

On a second visit, the Spanish government plans to expand the diversification of courses with higher levels of training.

Following the completion of the teaching cruise, diplomas were presented to participants during a ceremony with the ambassador of Spain in Uruguay, Aurora Diaz-Rato Revuelta, and Uruguay’s Deputy Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Uruguay, Daniel Garin.

In December 2005, Spain and Uruguay signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in fisheries. (FIS/MP).-