The Kick-off meeting and public presentation of the MARINET project – MARIculture NETwork: Implementation of new technologies for diversified sustainable aquaculture targeting healthy society and competitive regions was held at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management on 13th May 2024. This European project, funded by the Interreg Italy – Croatia 2021-2027 programme, focuses on innovations in fish and shellfish farming in the Adriatic Sea to enhance biosecurity, environmental sustainability and economy of the involved countries.
Through the project, Croatian and Italian experts will develop an application enabling the monitoring of sea quality and the well-being and health status of fish and shellfish in aquaculture facilities. The facilities will install sensors, with artificial intelligence processing the collected data. Farmers will be able to monitor facility conditions and receive alerts on environmental changes and alterations in the appearance and behaviour of fish via smartphones. The project emphasises the application of new technologies within aquaculture facilities. The Mediterranean Aquaculture Association will collaborate with Italian fish and shellfish farmers, while Croatian partners will develop their innovations in cooperation with shellfish farmers associated with the Chamber of Crafts of Istria County, along with several aquaculture companies in Croatia, including the major players Cromaris and Orada Adriatic. Additionally, market research will be conducted as part of the project, proposing a targeted promotional strategy to raise public awareness about the importance of consuming products from sustainable aquaculture.
At the project presentation, key stakeholders gathered to highlight its importance and provide support. The attendees were addressed by Mladen Brajan, Head of the Department for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development at the Administrative Department for Tourism, Entrepreneurship and Rural Development of Primorje – Gorski Kotar County; Ezio Pinzan, Head of the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries and Water Management of the Istria County; Eros Sorić, Secretary of the Chamber of Crafts and Trades of Istrian Region; Jelena Đugum, Director of the Agricultural Sector at the Croatian Chamber of Economy; Jelka Pleadin, Assistant Director of the Croatian Veterinary Institute; Darja Sokolić, General Manager of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food; and Tatjana Boroša Pecigoš, Head of Service for Aquaculture at the Directorate of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Also, a press conference was held during which the project was presented by: Prof. Marko Perić, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management; Prof. Marco Galeotti from the University of Udine, MARINET project coordinator; Snježana Zrnčić, PhD, Scientific Advisor at the Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases of the Croatian Veterinary Institute; and Prof. Greta Krešić, Head of the Department of Food and Nutrition at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
More details can be found in the publication of Novi list.
The MARINET project lasts 30 months, from 1st March 2024 to 30th August 2026. The budget amounts to 1,871,881.46 euros, and the European Union co-finances it from the European Regional Development Fund with 1,497,505.16 euros. The main partner is the University of Udine, and among other project partners are the Croatian Veterinary Institute, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the University of Rijeka, Chamber of Crafts and Trades of Istrian Region, and the Mediterranean Aquaculture Association.
