Goals and challenges projected by ANFACO-CECOPESCA during their annual meeting

Last December, ANFACO-CECOPESCA held an important meeting with its Governing Council to analyze the achievements obtained in 2023 and establish objectives for the coming year. During this meeting, ANFACO-CECOPESCA’s new Strategic Plan for the years 2024-2026 was presented, which aims to strengthen its leadership in the maritime industry. The Sea-Industry PERTE was also discussed, although there are currently no new developments in this regard.

Specifically, this year ANFACO-CECOPESCA carried out a total of 89 research, development and innovation (R&D&I) projects, 53% of them through direct contracts with companies. These projects comprised 42 initiatives in competitive public programs, 39 in collaboration and 21 at the international level, obtaining total revenues of close to 3.8 million euros.

In addition, 40 new projects were awarded with a budget of 22 million euros, providing more than 2 million euros of activity for the center. ANFACO-CECOPESCA is also proud of its leadership in the Cervera Network of Technological Centers of Excellence in the aquaculture field, which has a total budget of 4 million euros, and is a partner of the only Cervera Network in the area of healthy eating. In the review of the calls for proposals, mention was made of the momentum obtained in the European programs and the urgent need for a specific Sea-Industry PERTE requested by ANFACO-CECOPESCA to the Spanish Government more than a year ago.

In the field of Analytical Technology, the strategic alliances carried out with important organizations such as the European Network of Food Allergen Detection Laboratories (ENFADL), the Network of Agri-Food Laboratories (LAGRORED), the Mollusc Working Group of the National Advisory Board for Marine Crops (JACUMAR), the Network of Food Safety Laboratories (RELSA) and the Collaborating Entity of the Water Administration (ECAH) were highlighted.

In addition, at the event, it was announced that ENAC obtained the ILAC-MRA accreditation, which demonstrates at national and international level ENAC’s technical competence in the performance of tests and trials according to the UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Also highlighted was the new recognition granted by the Galician Agency of Food Quality (AGACAL), which accredits the laboratory to perform analysis of metals, sulfur dioxide and sulfites in organic products. Another novelty was the approval of the Regulatory Council of Organic Agriculture (CRAEGA) as a laboratory to certify the control of organic food products in Galicia.

The work of technical support to companies involved in the marine-industrial sector was also highlighted, helping them to manage their processes, carry out product studies and obtain certifications according to IFS, BRC or FDA standards. In addition, more than 1,900 legal and technical queries were resolved, and 51 specialized training courses were offered. It is worth mentioning the collaboration of the Official Master’s Degree with the University of Vigo in the area of Science and Technology of Conservation of Fishery Products.

ANFACO-CECOPESCA has demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation over the past 20 years, carrying out more than 200 advisory, training and promotion activities in more than 40 countries. The activities carried out in Peru in collaboration with the Xunta de Galicia, AECID and the Peruvian government, as well as the training programs on fish and shellfish in Mauritania and on board the Spanish government’s Intermares vessel, are particularly noteworthy.

This organization has been reaffirming its responsibility to seek excellence and promote innovation, positioning itself as a leader in the marine-industrial area at a national and international level. With the aim of strengthening its trajectory, they have presented a new Strategic Plan for the years 2024-2026 that will enable it to face current challenges and highlight the uniqueness of this entity.