The Kick-off meeting of project FISH&CHIPS – “Fisheries and Cultural Heritage, Identity and Participated Societies”, co-funded by the Interreg V-A Greece-Italy Programme 2014-2020 with a budget of around 905.000 euro, took place on 15th and 16th November in the Department of Human Sciences of the University of Foggia (Puglia).
The University of Foggia, Department of Human Sciences, is the lead beneficiary of this project in cooperation with two Italian partners- Puglia Region, Department for Economy of Culture, Tourism and Valorization of Territory and the Italian General Confederation of Enterprises, Professions and Self-employment of Taranto- and two Greek partners- the Ionian University and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu. Associated partners are the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto MarTA and the Fisherman’s Association of Petritis (Corfu).
FISH&CHIPS project, financed under Priority Axis 2 (Integrated Environmental Management), is focused on sea, fishing, maritime traditions and aims to give value to the archaeological and cultural heritage of the area of Taranto in Puglia and the island of Corfu in Greece, creating concrete opportunities for diversification of fishing communities’ economic activities and seasonal adjustment.
Thanks to this project, the “Ecomuseo del Mar Piccolo” will be realized in Taranto, where experimental archaeological workshops on naval carpentry, fishing nets, traps and purple production as well as tasting labs to re-discover the ancient fish recipes will be organized. Visitors can experiment new itineraries through the use of canoes and traditional vessels, guided by archaeologists and fishers to the discovery of aquaculture facilities and traditional fishing techniques. This new and innovative method of sustainable and inclusive touristic development, respecting territories and traditions’ rhythm, will be a growth driver for Puglia and Greece.