With climate change posing increasing risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities, MeCCAM is a timely and vital step toward securing a sustainable future for European fisheries.
Coordinated by Sjókovin in the
Faroe Islands, the MeCCAM (Measures for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in European Fisheries) project brings together 16 partners from 9 European
countries.
MeCCAM partners spent three days in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, launching the project, planning upcoming activities, and discussing implementation. The kick-off set the scene for strong collaboration and synergies across the consortium.
The project will deliver outcomes in the following key areas:
Sustainable fisheries for a changing climate
MeCCAM will advance innovative fishing gears and decision support tools that help reduce environmental impact, improve fuel efficiency, and optimise fishing strategies, whilst ensuring economic viability. A mobile app for catch registration will enable fishers to respond in real-time to changes in species distribution caused by warming waters.
Science-driven tools for smarter decisions
Digital innovation is key in MeCCAM. The project will evaluate an environmental impact assessment software and deliver data-driven tools and best practices to support climate-resilient decision-making throughout the fisheries value chain.
Collaboration for lasting impact
Bringing together industry stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers, MeCCAM will foster cross-sector collaboration to ensure that its results are both practical and impactful. Training materials and policy briefs will support the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into long-term fisheries management.
Six case studies across Europe
MeCCAM solutions will be implemented and demonstrated in six regional case studies that have been strategically selected to reflect the variety of challenges faced by European fisheries, from industrial pelagic and demersal operations to small-scale fisheries. Each Case Study will test the project's tools and solutions, ensuring relevance and applicability across the European fisheries sector.
ICES is committed to better understanding and supporting the sustainable use of marine ecosystems. As a MeCCAM project partner, ICES is ready to support a future towards resilient and sustainable fisheries throughout the Northeast Atlantic. ICES will build on the project’s case studies to shape our advice on fisheries and climate impacts.
With climate change posing increasing risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities, MeCCAM is a timely and vital step toward securing a sustainable future for European fisheries.
MeCCAM is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement N° 101181571. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them.
