Research and Education Fish farming & reproduction Center

Overall objective: Improving the ecological status of surface water bodies with significant pressure by agriculture, fish farming and risk of fish decline, caused by chemical pollution.
Main groups of activities:
1. Development and implementation of ecologically sustainable technologies in freshwater aquaculture applying circular bioeconomy practices.
2. Reproduction and reintroduction of freshwater fish species vulnerable to chemical pollution in their natural habitats.
3. Training of students specializing aquaculture and fish communities biodiversity in leading BG universities.
Target groups of the action:
• Owners of freshwater aquaculture farms where ecologically sustainable fish farming technologies is appropriate to implement. The number of the fish farms using IFA consultancy services and fish stocking resource at present is >50. The potential of the target group is significant - > 1,000 small and medium-sized dams used for aquaculture.
• Students specializing aquaculture and fish biodiversity in leading BG universities.
Role of the partners:
The described activities are included as measures in the RBMP of EABD (2022-2027) against water eutrophication and fish populations decline. They will take place in fish breeding basins, laboratories and buildings of the Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture where the REF Center will be situated.
The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecological Research provides expertise on wild freshwater fish species vulnerable to chemical pollution, their reproduction and reintroduction in natural habitats.
The selected universities ensure high academic capacity for education of students in agricultural and biological sciences.
The EABD organize the consultation meetings with stakeholders to present the effect of the implemented RBMP measures.
The other partners ensure high expert capacity on protection of Natura 2000 areas and species (ECOSYSTEM V2 Ltd) and integration of circular bioeconomy principles at international level (BIOEAST HUB BG).
Expected results:
• Developed and implemented >20 ecologically sustainable technologies in freshwater aquaculture applying circular bioeconomy practices;
• >150 fish farms consulted in applying ecologically sustainable technologies in freshwater aquaculture;
• Organized 3 consultation meetings and 6 training courses for fish farm owners to implement sustainable technologies in freshwater aquaculture;
• Developed and implemented methodologies for reproduction and reintroduction of >10 freshwater fish species vulnerable to chemical pollution;
• Improved national legislative documents with requirement to apply the developed ecologically sustainable technologies in freshwater aquaculture and methodologies for reproduction and reintroduction of vulnerable freshwater fish species;
• >120 students specializing aquaculture trained in application of ecologically sustainable technologies in freshwater aquaculture;
• >150 students specializing fish biodiversity trained in application of methodologies for reproduction and reintroduction of wild fish species;
• Improved ecological status of >50 SWBs with significant pressure by agriculture activities, fish farming and risk of fish decline.