EX-AQUA is a 3-year Horizon-Europe Funded project that supports the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” (NIMRD) of Romania in becoming a centre of excellence in marine algae aquaculture.
Algae aquaculture offers a promising solution for producing high-quality, healthy sea products while mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration. However, marine algae aquaculture in Romania faces significant challenges despite its potential for sustainable development in the country and particularly in the Black Sea region.
EX-AQUA aims to support NIMRD in building excellence in the field of marine algae aquaculture, as a catalyst in the Black Sea, developing and enhancing competitiveness of the local value chain for the exploitation of marine living resources in multiple applications, creating new jobs and market opportunities.
Creating Excellence Science in marine algae aquaculture
Increasing Capacity Building for NIMRD to increase their impact in Research, Development, and Innovation
Strengthening the local Innovation ecosystem for the industrial uptake of new technological solutions for marine algae aquaculture
Creating Synergies through the creation of a Cluster for Marine Applied Aquaculture
Through these pillars, EX-AQUA seeks to transfer knowledge, tailored to the Black Sea environment, from Western top leading institutions, and with the support of other targeted public-private organisations.
By leveraging the expertise of leading institutions and fostering collaboration between various stakeholders, this project aims to propel the Black Sea region onto the marine aquaculture map, contributing to the EU’s Green Deal targets and reducing regional disparities.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
NIMRD, Romania’s leading marine research institute, plays a pivotal role in Black Sea strategies related to environmental protection, ecology, oceanography, and the management of living marine resources. As the target institution within the EX-AQUA project, NIMRD aims to build excellence in marine algae aquaculture, leveraging support from its partners to catalyse development and enhance the sustainable exploitation of local marine resources.
A center for polar and marine research equipped with a state-of-the-art aquaculture facility, focusing on applied feasibility studies and the transformation of aquaculture into sustainable enterprises, with leading expertise in harmful algal blooms (HABs) and phycotoxins. Within the EX-AQUA project, the institute explores toxic microalgae in the Black Sea and provides training in HAB research while building knowledge on cultivating microalgae relevant to NIMRD.
The mission of BlSAC is to promote a balanced representation of stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and to contribute to the achievement of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) objectives. Within the EX-AQUA project, BlSAC connects fisheries, aquaculture, environmental, and social stakeholders in Romania and Bulgaria, supporting NIMRD’s role in the Blue Economy by addressing industry challenges and fostering the expansion of marine aquaculture across the Black Sea region.
CMMI is Teaming Centre of Excellence for marine and maritime research, innovation, and technology development, with a vision to drive sustainable Blue Growth by addressing the needs of industry and society. Within the EX-AQUA project, CMMI creates an innovation ecosystem for marine aquaculture through the establishment of the Cluster for Applied Marine Aquaculture, sharing its expertise in strategy development, action planning, and quadruple helix engagement.
LOMARTOV, a Spanish engineering firm specializing in applied innovation, supports R&D, industrial, and technology-based projects through a multidisciplinary approach. Within the EX-AQUA project, LOMARTOV spearheads the co-creation of NIMRD’s framework for excellence in aquaculture research and leads efforts in communication, dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and the strategic exploitation of project results.
The Phycology lab at Ghent University focuses on the biology, genetics, and growth of seaweed, applying this knowledge to enhance cultivation practices in both onshore and offshore environments. Within the EX-AQUA project, they are developing effective strategies for cultivating Black Sea seaweed, particularly Ulva, and optimising the growth and biochemical composition of the biomass.
