April 2025, Monastir, Tunisia.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote cooperation and knowledge sharing among scientific institutions from south-central Mediterranean countries, a 6-day training sessions were successfully held in Monastir (Tunisia) from 7 to 12 April 2025.

Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the MedSudMed Programme, in close cooperation with the Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer of Monastir (INSTM, Tunisia) the training sessions aimed to strengthen the capacity on sustainable aquaculture practices of experts from the Marine Biology Research Center (MBRC) of Tajoura, Libya. The training is embedded in a wider work programme aimed at providing elements and knowledge tools for fish restocking and ecosystem restoration and to support local small scale farming in Libya.  

The training was also aimed at promoting networking and dialogue among scientific institutions from Tunisia and Libya on issues of common interest paving the ground for future and wider collaborations.

The MedSudMed training programme covered essential aspects for experimental hatchery handling, including infrastructure and water treatment systems, broodstock management, and the role of environmental control in fish reproduction. Trainees engaged in both theoretical and practical sessions on water quality monitoring and larval rearing, including live food production (rotifers, Artemia salina, and microalgae). 

These training sessions are expected to have a lasting impact, as both the INSTM and MBRC are enhancing their capacity in fish hatchery management to ensure that their aquaculture facilities meet the minimum technical standards required for sustainable, cost-effective seed production and applied aquaculture research.  Hatcheries in Libya and Tunisia hold potential to drive sustainable aquaculture development in the respective countries.