This highly interdisciplinary project aims to introduce and/or adapt the most advanced scientific knowledge into marine aquaculture enterprises to achieve process and product innovation as well as an increase in competitiveness in international markets.
The interventions include:
– Automation of feed distribution and fish sorting
– Introduction of biotechnologies into the production process
– New species for marine aquaculture (holothurians)
– Implementation of meagre reproduction
– Improvement of the nutritional quality of products for human consumption
The overall expected outcome is an increase in the sustainability and image of national marine aquaculture towards consumers, along with the definition of a strategy for capitalizing on and disseminating the results of industrial research and technological development achieved.
Implement innovative solutions and projects to support the competitive development of fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy, paying attention to the protection of marine resources and ecosystems.
To provide key information on the biodiversity and marine ecosystems of the Central Mediterranean Sea - Strait of Sicily, the ecosystem services provided, human activities and pressures due to humans and climate change.
Support the transferability of ARIEL project results toward open innovation for small scale fisheries (SSF) and aquaculture sectors in the Adriatic-Ionian area.
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.