European scientists meet to guide sustainable inland fisheries and aquaculture development
Pula, 7 October 2024
Croatia hosts this year’s international symposium of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) on Building a sustainable future for inland fisheries and aquaculture in a time of multiple stressors.
Hundred and twenty scientists and policy makers on inland fisheries and aquaculture from twenty-three countries are meeting this week in Pula, Croatia, to share their research findings and to network with their colleagues.
The participants were welcomed by representatives of Croatia and EIFAAC. The dean of the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Aleksandar Mešić, commended the scientists for their important work on increasing aquatic ecosystems sustainability and their contributions to aquatic foods production.
Ms Ksenija Vukman of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, noted that “bird damage is increasing year by year and is questioning the survival of the freshwater aquaculture sector, due to multiple increases in unmanaged predator populations”, and that research and predator management are urgently needed. She also mentioned that inland aquaculture in Croatia is suffering from droughts and that investment in the construction of water reservoirs is required to adapt to the changing climate.
Dr Drazen Knežević of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food informed the participants of the One-health approach, and that inland fisheries and aquaculture are important contributors to food security and food safety in Croatia.
Ms Magdalena Andreea Strachinescu Olteanu of the European Union’s DG Mare spoke about the Mission Oceans and the importance of knowledge, innovation and investment, in which fisheries and aquaculture scientists play a key role.
Mr Petri Heinimaa, chairperson of EIFAAC, officially opened the international symposium and said that “EIFAAC offers scientists the possibility to bring their research to the attention of policy and decision makers throughout Europe and to make an impact. If research project have produced findings that should be disseminated or scientific recommendations should be applied in the whole region, then make use of what EIFAAC can offer”.
The symposium participants were treated with a performance of the local folk ensemble Matko Brajša Rašan, and started their presentations and discussions in a good mood.
More information about the symposium can be found here: https://eifaac-symposium2024.eu/