The Experimental Aquaculture Facility is authorized by the Ministry of Health as a “Facility for using Animals for Experimental or Other Scientific Purposes” in accordance with D. Lgs. 26/2014.
It is an indoor facility and houses 14 fiberglass tanks: 12 of 1.4 m3 and 2 of 5 m3.
The system is open-loop, and incoming water is filtered (by sand filter – filtering capacity: 4 μ) and sterilized by UV (15m3/h – 40mJ/cm2). The flow, in continuity, makes it possible to sustain a full hourly water change for each tank (up to 24 full daily changes) and ensures the same temperature and salinity conditions as present in the natural environment.
All tanks are equipped with independent lighting, programmable timer and aeration system.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
