Aquaculture is an economically strategic sector

Sustainable development of aquaculture was the theme of the 14th edition of this event organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Vukovar. The sector is expected to continue to invest in switching to green energy and in reducing its carbon footprint.

One of the key take home points from the event was that the aquaculture and sheries sector recorded a signi cant increase in production, employment, income, and in trade despite disruptions in the market, rising prices of energy and raw materials, and other challenges that the economy has been facing in recent years.

Organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Ru er Boškovi Institute, Croatian Veterinary Institute, University of Zagreb

Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology

University of Zagreb, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek

Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, College of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ruži ka” in Vukovar and the University of Dubrovnik with support from the Ministry of Agriculture of Croatia and Vukovar-Srijem county, the conference gathered more than 150 experts from ten European countries.

Participants from several European countries give event an international flavour e event is an important meeting place for producers, scientists more sustainable. and state administration o cials from Croatia, other EU countries, as well as from non-EU countries. e event also attracted representatives from international associations and organisations such as the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and Euro sh International Organisation.

At the conference the current state of the sector was presented. Interventions revealed the latest strategic, technological, economic, and scienti c knowledge with speakers discussing potential ways to successfully overcome the challenges and sustainably develop this important economic sector. Special emphasis was placed on the relationship and interaction with nature, the protection of biodiversity (especially in pond sh farming), and raising awareness of the importance of a healthy environment.

Croatian aquaculture shows positive results despite challenges

In his opening speech Dragan Kova evi , vice-president for agriculture and tourism in the Chamber of Commerce, said that in these demanding times shing and aquaculture have justi ed their status as economically strategic sectors. ey have shown positive trends in commercial terms and have made a signi cant contribution to the development of local, coastal, and rural environments, environmental protection, and the preservation of resources.

Ante Mišura, Director of the Directorate of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture expressed the sectors’ goals to increase the annual amount of production by 30 percent, the annual value of primary production by 20 percent, and the added value in processed aquaculture products by 35 percent. Ivan Leko, president of the Mariculture Group of the Chamber of Commerce Fishery Association and chairman of the board of directors of Cromaris, a big Croatian producer of farmed sh and shell sh, commented that mariculture must continue to diversify its product portfolio—new species, innovative processed products, and more organic cultivation. He expected continued support, as well as continued investments in energy e ciency, in the green transition, and increased competitiveness and resilience of the entire sector.

Noteworthy proposals for new institutions

Euro sh International Organisation was represented by Marco Frederiksen, the director, who presented Euro sh and its activities, and by Toni Bartulin, project manager, who gave a presentation on developments in the EU market for farmed sh and

Highlights from the fifth ECCWO symposium

sh products. Several initiatives were proposed at the conference including one to establish the Croatian Institute for Freshwater Fisheries and Aquaculture and another to launch the Centre for the Recovery and Reintroduction of Danube sturgeon.

e conference takes place every two years and covers all topics of interest for aquaculture Accepted papers, presentations and posters are published on the conference’s website. For more information visit: https://hgk. hr/14th-international-aquaculture-conference announcement.

Toni Bartulin, Euro sh International Organisation, toni.bartulin @euro sh.dk