Autumn Training Sessions Focus on Marine Litter, Ecotourism and Management Tools

Five more training sessions coordinated by Transboundary CAMP Otranto partners will take place this autumn.

Attendees will come together for training on marine litter and ecotourism in Vlora on 20 October, followed by training sessions in Tirana on the key points of ICZM and data management on 8 November and 21 November 2023.

Furthermore, following the initial courses on the same topics held in May in Brindisi and Otranto (Puglia region), an online training course on Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) will take place on 14 November 2023.

 “One of the driving forces of the CAMP project is to reduce pollution, especially marine litter, and to improve sustainability of coastal and maritime tourism. These training sessions will enable us share to share best practice and incorporate them into future planning,” said Elvana Ramaj the Director of Circular Economy at the Albanian Ministry for Tourism and the Environment.

In the Adriatic-Ionian region 91% of litter is plastic, notably large piece of polystyrene, cotton bud sticks, drinks caps and lids, mussel and oyster nets, crisp packets, sweet wrappers, as well as glass and ceramic fragments. A high proportion is related to fishing and aquaculture.

Tourism drives the maritime economy in Italy and is of increasing economic importance along the coast of Albania. Up to 70% of tourists during the summer months choose to holiday there because of the sea. Surges in visitors along the coast puts pressure on both land and at sea. As well as arriving by boat, activities like bathing, sailing, recreational fishing all result in increased marine litter and pollution.

There is no doubt that human activity along the coastline is negatively affecting marine habitats. The need to increase focus on marine litter management has never been greater. The training session will introduce the concept of fishing for litter taken from EU countries and will be led by expert speakers on waste management, prevention, and legal and implementation solutions. It will explore the main developments of the tourism sector, the impact of nature legislation and how to align the natural values of the region with sustainable development.

Later training sessions will cover ICZM and MSP concepts and the impact of transboundary collaboration on planning, as well the key findings from the Feasibility study for the identification and establishment of ABMTs in the Otranto Strait.

As Oliviero Montanaro, Director General for Natural Heritage and Sea at the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security explained: “The CAMP project’s central objectives include preserving, protecting, and restoring the health and integrity of coastal and marine ecosystems, with a strong focus on existing and potential Natura 2000 Network sites. To achieve this, we will thoroughly examine various Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), both within and beyond national jurisdiction (AWNJ and ABNJ). We have designed an online training course to ensure that as many people as possible can access in-depth overview on this crucial and highly pertinent topic.”

Participants will get free access to the MedOpen training course (this requires an average level of English knowledge).

Training Days

• 20 October, Vlora – Marine Litter and Eco Tourism
• 8 November, Tirana – ICZM
• 14 November, online – ABMTs and OECMs (to be conducted in Italian)
• 21 November, Tirana – Data Management

Speakers on 20 October include Elvana Ramaj the Director of Circular Economy from AMTE, Mr. Nexhip Hysolakoj Head of Sector for Monitoring in AdZM Vlore, Mrs. Tatjana Mehillaj UNDP local expert, Rezart Kapedani, and more experts from AMTE.

For more information on training sessions in Vlora and Tirana please contact Ms. Ina Janushi, National Project Coordinator (Albania) by emailing janushina25@gmail.com.

For inquiries regarding the online training, please contact Ms. Daniela Addis, National Project Coordinator (Italy), at daniela.addis@camp-otranto.com.