FAO/GFCM initiative empowers students to challenge fish farming myths, promote sustainability and support local aquaculture
To gain public acceptance and support sustainable growth, the aquaculture industry must overcome widespread misinformation. Houssam Hamza of the FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) emphasizes educating younger generations through critical thinking and awareness about food choices.
To address this, the GFCM launched “Farmers of the Water”, an educational toolkit aimed at students aged 5–18 across the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The toolkit includes three units: teacher background knowledge, play-based learning, and teamwork/advocacy for older students. It promotes understanding of aquaculture’s environmental, social, and economic benefits while fostering critical thinking and engagement.
The toolkit also features hands-on experiences, such as installing aquaponics systems in schools and cooking activities, making aquaculture tangible and relatable. These efforts not only educate but also combat common misconceptions—like aquaculture being environmentally harmful or only for big industries—by showing real-world examples of sustainable, small-scale operations.
Developed collaboratively with educators and NGOs, the toolkit has received strong interest and is being translated for broader use. The GFCM plans to expand the program, aiming to empower students as ambassadors for sustainable aquaculture and informed food consumption, strengthening cultural and ecological ties through learning and experience.
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