The 5th meeting of the Network of Research Institutions of the Pacific Alliance is successfully held in Santa Marta, Colombia
March 24th, 2023
Executive Chairman Gonzalo Pereira Puchy (IFOP)
The meeting was organized by IFOP (Chile), with INVEMAR’s (Colombia) support , and was attended by both institutions Directors, Gonzalo Pereira Puchy (IFOP) and Francisco Arias Isaza (INVEMAR). The focal points of each institution and different invited researchers also attended.
This meeting aim was to prepare 2023-2024 Work Plan, based on prioritary issues defined by the institutions in a previous meeting held in September 2022, which include Ecosystemic Approach, Biodiversity and Climatic Change.
During the first work day each institution presented on its research lines , relieving the progress made, existing gaps and identifying opportunities for collaboration between institutions. On the second day, collaboration opportunities were jointly identified and activities to be included in the Work Plan were defined. The work culminated in a proposed Work Plan that contains five prioritized activities to be carried out in the 2023-2024 period. This proposal must be made official once its final version is reviewed by each institution. The preparation of this new Work Plan marks the beginning of a new cycle of joint work between the research institutions of the Pacific Alliance countries, allowing progress in the achievement of the objectives proposed since its creation, and the best generation of scientific knowledge in fishing and aquaculture for the sustainable management of hydrobiological resources and ecosystems.
As part of the last day activities, on the meeting, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta was visited, which corresponds to a RAMSAR site and a Biosphere Reserve. On the occasion, two sampling sites that are part of INVEMAR’s Research Program for the Valuation and Use of Marine and Coastal Resources were visited. In addition, they had the opportunity to learn about the activities carried out by the inhabitants of the stilt towns located in the swamp and to share with the community.
At the end of the activity, INVEMAR Director Francisco Arias Isaza highlighted the need for institutions to link up and find common ground to achieve progress, despite differences in each country that are part of the Network contexts . In turn, IFOP´s Director Gonzalo Pereira Puchy, highlighted the work carried out in the meeting and the participation of the institutions, pointing out the importance of advancing in a Work Plan implementation.
Next Network´s meeting will be virtually held in September this year, and in March 2024 a new face-to-face meeting will be held in the city of Puerto Varas, Chile, whose organization will be in charge of IFOP.
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