Larnaca (Cyprus) – May 2026: On 20 May 2026, the EX-AQUA project successfully met for its General Assembly in the city of Larnaca, in Cyprus, at CMMI premises.
Participants included representatives from National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” (NIMRD), Ghent University, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Lomartov SL (LOM), the Black Sea Advisory Council (BISAC) and, our host, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI).
Figure 1: EX-AQUA participants at the General Assembly meeting at CMMI
During the General Assembly, consortium partners reviewed the progress achieved in recent months and discussed the next strategic and scientific steps for the final phase of the project. Particular attention was devoted to the significant advancements in macroalgae and microalgae studies carried out at NIMRD in Romania. Partners exchanged views on ongoing experimental activities, research methodologies, and future opportunities for scientific cooperation, including the preparation and publication of joint scientific articles aimed at disseminating the project’s results at European and international level.
The consortium also made important progress in defining the next stages for the development of the Black Sea Cluster on Applied Marine Aquaculture, one of the flagship initiatives of EX-AQUA. Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering synergies among research institutions, industry actors, and public authorities, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the cluster beyond the project duration.
Another key outcome of the meeting was the planning of the upcoming staff exchanges between consortium partners, which will be implemented during the final phase of the project. These exchanges will further reinforce knowledge transfer, technical capacity building, and collaborative research activities among the participating institutions.
Consortium members additionally highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by NIMRD in enhancing its international positioning within the European research and innovation arena. Thanks to the activities developed under EX-AQUA, NIMRD has significantly strengthened its visibility, networking capacity, and engagement in EU-level scientific collaboration initiatives related to marine aquaculture and algae research.
Taken the proximity opportunity, EX-AQUA partners participated in 2 very relevant events held in Cyprus at the time of the meeting: European Maritime Days (the place where “Ocean leader meet”) and the Thalassa scientific conference.
Figure 2: EX-AQUA consortium discussion during the General Assembly
The General Assembly concluded with a shared commitment among partners to continue advancing sustainable marine aquaculture innovation in the Black Sea region and to maximise the long-term impact of the EX-AQUA project through scientific excellence, strategic partnerships, and international cooperation.
EX-AQUA continues to strengthen the position of the Black Sea region within the European marine and algae aquaculture landscape by promoting scientific excellence, innovation, and international collaboration. Through knowledge transfer and capacity building activities, the project supports the sustainable development of algae aquaculture while contributing to the blue economy and the objectives of the European Green Deal.
Disclaimer
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 (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.Grant Agreement No 101159509.
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