Euronews OCEAN Season 4, Episode 8 - Ecosystem services

For centuries, people across Europe have been farming fish in ponds or picking mollusks at the seafloor. Today, some of these traditional methods can benefit natural ecosystems, boost public health and promote sustainable economic growth.

In this episode of Ocean, we visit the Atlantic islands of Galicia National Park in Spain, meeting conservationists and artisanal shellfishers who work together in the EU-funded project “Mar das Illas”, supporting traditional shellfishing while developing eco-tourism in the protected area.

Our story continues in landlocked Czech Republic where carp farming in ponds is a century-old tradition that supplies many services — from protection against floods to increasing biodiversity. We meet local scientists who hope that with further research, pond aquaculture could integrate with land farming in a circular way while contributing to public health — starting with encouraging a fish-inclusive diet from an early age.

OCEAN is a Euronews magazine in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE). Season 4 features monthly 8-minute videos, where we discover fascinating projects and developments related to the ocean and coastal communities.

Broadcast since 2019, OCEAN features episodes on marine protected areas, small-scale fisheries, ocean energy, aquaculture, IUU fishing, sustainable fisheries and much more. Missed one? Check them out on the Euronews website! You will also find some nice extras about these topics.

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