3rd UPC International Seminar on Sustainable Technology Development
Internal Organization
(11th-18th June 2010)
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3rd edition 2010: "Overfishing and marine ecosystems degradation"
UPC will organize annuary the International Seminar on Sustainable Technology Development in the framework of Master for Sustainability. 3rd Seminar will be held in Barcelona in June 11th to 18th.
It is developed during a week and conducted by professors from different european universities experts on future studies analysis (TUDelft, Chalmers UT, TUGraz and others).
The objectives of this event are:
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To increase the understanding of a SD in the long term and the role of technology therein embedded in systems
- To increase the capability to apply foresighting, forecasting and backcasting
- To contribute to the development of scientific work competences of students
- To increase the capability of teachers to teach the approach of future imaging, foresighting, forecasting and backcasting
- To equip UPC with insight and capability to transfer knowledge on future imaging and backcasting for sustainable development in the Masters in SD and further in Catalonia and Spain
- To become an experts meeting point and create networking activities among different groups and institution
3rd edition
This year we are proposing work on Overfishing and Marine ecosystems degradation.
Seas and oceans are wildlife reserves with high biodiversity. While contributing greatly to ecological stability of theplanet, are also important sources of food resources for many populations around the world. They are in addition, important economic flows of local and global level.
Technological innovations have led to increased volumes of fishing since the 50s (capture and aquaculture), although the annual increase rate of global fisheries has declined in some way.
The traditional fisheries have given way to a new type of fishing, more technical and globalized (long-distance fishing vessels, prospecting for new farms, etc.). This has caused the reduction of stocks of major global fisheries. Currently, marine resources provide 15% of animal protein consumed by humans, but 80% of global stocks are being highly exploited, overexploited or have collapsed.
The demand is reaching the production limits, creating an excessive pressure on marine resources and causing depletion of populations around the world (the sizes of populations are modified, at the same time that relationships between these populations and their environment). In addition, other human activities such as tourism, coastal areas exploitation, recreational fishing, water pollution, agriculture, etc. contribute to amplify the problem.
The lack of information and scientific data sufficiently accurate to allow to know the exact evolution of stocks and thus make a more rational and sustainable management; the lack of control over the technologies developed that have contributed to a type of fishing that ignores the environment preservation; the lack of legislation to protect local economies and traditional styles; and above all, lack of transparent, equitable and participatory processes that allow the coexistence of different uses and functions, without endangering the stability of the ecosystem, have helped to put the marine ecosystems in crisis.
