AQUAFISH 0.0 brings sustainable aquaculture and fisheries closer to nearly 500 schoolchildren in the Province of Cádiz

As part of the AQUAFISH 0.0 project, CEEI Bahía de Cádiz organised 14 educational workshops aimed at introducing young students to sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture, the circular economy, and marine conservation. Held between 18 May and 5 June 2026, these activities engaged nearly 500 primary school students aged 6 to 12 in an innovative, hands-on learning experience.

Of the 14 workshops, 13 were delivered through the AQUAFISH 0.0 Remote Classroom, reaching more than 450 students from seven schools located in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, San Fernando, Puerto Real and El Puerto de Santa María. Each workshop lasted two hours. During the first session, students explored the fundamentals of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine biodiversity, the importance of protecting marine ecosystems, the journey of seafood products from source to consumer, and the role of the circular economy in the responsible use of marine resources. To support these sessions, educational materials specifically developed within the project were used, including an interactive handbook, an educational map, and two infographics on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

During the second session, students entered the Remote Classroom, where they enjoyed virtual reality experiences, interactive games and other digital resources that enabled them to explore the world of fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems in an engaging and practical way. This innovative methodology encouraged active participation while reinforcing learning through immersive and collaborative experiences.

As a special activity within this educational programme, and to mark European Maritime Day, CEEI Bahía de Cádiz organised the "MAR CIRCULAR" event on 21 May 2026 at the Bonanza Fishing Port in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The event brought together 44 students from two local primary schools and offered an enhanced educational experience in a real fishing environment.

During MAR CIRCULAR, participants attended short educational sessions on the origin of seafood, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and the circular economy. They also took part in workshops on marine biodiversity, species identification, sea turtle conservation and fishing gear, participated in the "From Sea to Plate" activity to learn about the seafood value chain, and enjoyed immersive technology experiences related to the marine environment.

The event concluded with an educational showcooking led by chef Jesús Márquez, who prepared recipes using sustainably sourced seafood while explaining their nutritional benefits and the importance of choosing local and seasonal species. The activity ended with a guided tasting session, allowing students to discover new flavours while promoting healthy eating habits.

Through these 14 educational workshops, CEEI Bahía de Cádiz, as part of the AQUAFISH 0.0 project, continues to promote environmental education and the blue economy among younger generations, demonstrating that combining innovation, technology and experiential learning is an effective way to increase awareness of ocean sustainability and the future of responsible fisheries and aquaculture.