Mª Luisa Álvarez

Born in Ferrol (Galicia, Spain) in a family with ties to the sea – her father is a rear admiral, one of her brothers is a marine engineer and another is a seaman – María Luisa also gave into the calling of the sea, although from another angle – business. 

Today, she serves as Managing Director of the National Federation of Provincial Associations of Retailers of Fish and Frozen Products (FEDEPESCA) as well as Assistant Director of the Association of Retailers of Fish and Frozen Products for the Madrid Autonomous Community (ADEPESCA).

At the head of FEDEPESCA, her challenges currently include to increase fish consumption – currently in the doldrums – and to press for regulated training in the profession to ensure generational renewal without which the industry will not be able to move forward.

In her previous role as manager of the Small Trade Confederation, she gained valuable experience in one of her expert fields – commercial distribution. She also applies this expertise through the Spanish Fisheries and Aquiculture Technological Platform (PTEPA), where as president she coordinates a sales working group.

Additionally, she is a member of several associations and institutions – Market Advisory Council (MAC), European Commission Advisory Council, Food Supply Chain Observatory General Assembly (MAPAMA), Strategic Plan for the Development of Fishery and Aquiculture Monitoring Committee, Spain’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Monitoring Committee as well as the Spanish Strategy Monitoring Committee for More Food, Less Food Waste and its Interprofessional Organisations Council.