The Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA) announced the launch of the CultiVA mentorship program, a pioneering initiative designed to forge valuable connections between the new generation of talent and established professionals in the global aquaculture sector. This program, with the strategic collaboration of the Spanish Aquaculture Society (SEA), the Business Association of Aquaculture of Spain (APROMAR), the Aquiplus-RedAqua Cluster, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) through its General Secretariat of Fisheries, is created with the firm objective of guiding and enhancing the professional development of young students and graduates.
CultiVA stands as a beacon of guidance in the aquaculture landscape, aiming for mentors, with their vast experience, to advise and boost the projection of their mentees. In turn, mentees will have the unique opportunity to benefit from the practical knowledge and skills of professionals who have successfully navigated the waters of the sector, helping them to identify and seize new opportunities in their nascent careers.
Inspired by successful programs such as REBECA, developed by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), and CAMINO, by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), CultiVA adapts to the particularities and needs of the aquaculture field, a sector of growing strategic importance for the economy and food sustainability.
Key Objectives of the CultiVA Program
The CultiVA program has been designed with a clear vision and ambitious objectives:
- Foster Synergies and Cooperation: Create a space for mutual enrichment where experience and innovation converge, promoting collaboration between mentors and mentees.
- Meet Guidance Needs: Provide mentees with expert guidance that allows them to reflect on their competencies, skills, and the diverse career paths available in aquaculture.
- Build an Intergenerational Network: Establish a robust and connected community of aquaculture professionals, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences between different generations.
What Does CultiVA Consist Of and How Does It Work?
CultiVA is a completely voluntary and free-of-charge program for both mentors and mentees, and it will take place entirely virtually, eliminating geographical barriers and facilitating participation from anywhere in the country.
The process will begin with the completion of a form by interested parties, expressing their desire to participate as a mentor or mentee. After a selection phase, pairs will be formed, each consisting of one mentor and one mentee. Each pair will have the flexibility to decide the language in which they prefer to conduct their meetings, thus fostering a comfortable and effective communication environment.
The cornerstone of the program lies in mutual commitment, active listening, and open, continuous dialogue. The program organizers expect both parties to actively engage so that the process is beneficial and enriching for all participants. Meetings will focus on sharing experiences, practical knowledge, and strategic advice.
Detailed Methodology
The program will last for three months, during which a flexible meeting schedule will be established, adapted to the participants’ availability. The organization expects each pair to meet at least three times during this period.
To ensure a successful start, the program will offer a virtual welcome meeting for all parties, approximately one hour long. In this initial session, the organizers will explain in detail the program’s objectives, available resources, and schedule, as well as providing an opportunity to resolve any existing doubts.
The recommended topics to be addressed in mentoring sessions are diverse and crucial for professional development:
- Career aspirations and goal setting.
- Professional development management and strategic planning.
- Development of key soft skills for the sector.
- Effective networking strategies.
- Time management and work-life balance.
- Incorporation of a gender perspective in professional development.
The program organizers particularly encourage mentees to develop a personal career plan at the beginning of the process, which will serve as a roadmap to guide conversations with their mentors and maximize the benefits of the experience. To optimize the productivity of the meetings, it is recommended that the pair agree on the topics to be discussed beforehand. The responsibility for contacting and confirming each meeting will fall to the mentee.
Should any problems arise with pairings or during the program’s development, the organization has provided the email address oesa@fundacion-biodiversidad.es as a direct communication channel to resolve issues, as well as to receive comments, suggestions, or concerns.
Who Can Participate?
- MENTORS: The program is open to all types of professionals in the aquaculture sector, whether from academia, private enterprise, public administration, or the third sector. Both retirees with a wealth of experience and active professionals who wish to voluntarily share their knowledge and work experiences to guide new generations are invited to participate.
- MENTEES: Aimed at students, recent graduates, pre-doctoral researchers, or recent PhD graduates in the aquaculture field who are exploring career paths and need support in identifying opportunities and defining their journey.
Registrations Open! How to Participate
The registration period for the CultiVA program is now open. Those interested in participating, either as a mentor or a mentee, must complete the corresponding form available on the Spanish Aquaculture Observatory website: https://www.observatorio-acuicultura.es/programa-cultiva/
- If you are an aquaculture professional eager to share your experience and guide the transformation of new generations, sign up as a MENTOR!
- If you are a student, graduate, pre-doctoral researcher, or recent PhD graduate in the aquaculture field and want to connect with professionals to boost your career, sign up as a MENTEE!
The first mentoring sessions are expected to begin in September 2025.
Evaluation and Future of the Program
At the end of the three-month CultiVA program, both mentors and mentees will be asked to complete a satisfaction and evaluation survey. This feedback will be crucial for measuring the program’s impact and making improvements for future editions, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness.
The CultiVA program represents a significant investment in young talent and the future of the Spanish aquaculture sector, a vital sector facing exciting challenges and opportunities. With the support of its distinguished collaborators, OESA is confident that CultiVA will consolidate itself as a fundamental tool for professional development and the creation of a stronger, more innovative, and collaborative aquaculture community.
About the Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA)
The Spanish Aquaculture Observatory is a platform dedicated to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of relevant information about the aquaculture sector in Spain. Its mission is to contribute to the knowledge and sustainable development of aquaculture, fostering collaboration among the different stakeholders in the sector.
Editor at the digital magazine AquaHoy. He holds a degree in Aquaculture Biology from the National University of Santa (UNS) and a Master’s degree in Science and Innovation Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, with postgraduate diplomas in Business Innovation and Innovation Management. He possesses extensive experience in the aquaculture and fisheries sector, having led the Fisheries Innovation Unit of the National Program for Innovation in Fisheries and Aquaculture (PNIPA). He has served as a senior consultant in technology watch, an innovation project formulator and advisor, and a lecturer at UNS. He is a member of the Peruvian College of Biologists and was recognized by the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) in 2016 for his contribution to aquaculture.
