Lead partner:
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI) – Romania
Partners:
- International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education (ICARE) – Armenia
- Institute for Youth Initiatives and Innovations (IYII) – Bulgaria
- REINVENT EDUCATION NGO (RIE) – Greece
- LEPL Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU) – Georgia
- Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centers (UABSC) – Ukraine
Funded: (Interreg VI-B) NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme; Priority: Blue and Smart Region, RSO1.1: Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Duration: 30 months (05/02/2026 – 04/08/2028)
Total budget: 1.395.377,73 EUR
e-AQUAF tackles the identified common challenges of the Black Sea Basin through a comprehensive, innovative approach that combines advanced technology, regional cooperation, and sustainable practices. By leveraging technology transfer and expertise from more developed European areas, the project aims to catalyze rapid economic growth and uplift the most deprived communities within the BSB, fostering sustainable development and reducing regional disparities.
The E-AQUAF, “Smart Aqua farming” project has as an overall objective to exploit opportunities for financial, cultural and social approaches targeting economic development in the Black Sea Basin area. The objective of the E-AQUAF project is the development of joint solutions to create sustainable and eco-friendly fisheries using innovative technologies.
The overall objective of E-AQUAF, “Smart Aqua farming” will be achieved by the successful delivery of the following Specific Objectives (SO):
- promotion of fish products with healthy and organoleptic properties
- put into practice the cultivation, harvesting, and protection for sustainable commercial exploitation of fish products.
- foster nutrition education based on the nutritional value of fish products
- improve capacity of chambers of commerce and business organizations to support SMEs in proposing foodstuff coherent with quality fish products improve connections between SMEs producing fish food, exploit the market potential of identified range of fish food,
- increase capacity of schools and local authorities to implement initiatives aiming at increasing the awareness about the nutritional advantages of fish food among children, young people and other groups of consumers, form of “clusters”, which will lead to the formation of an Association that will give SMEs and organizations a considerable gain in terms of international legibility and visibility, thus giving them the opportunity for a sustainable commercial development
- make people conscious of the values of fish food and the benefits of a healthier nourishment, to improve the knowledge of fish products and finally Improve capacity of policy making institutions.
Specific goals of the project include promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, enhancing local capacities through training and education, and fostering innovation through the use of advanced technologies. The project aims to directly benefit local communities by creating job opportunities, promoting economic growth, and improving social welfare.
We will leverage innovative approaches and technologies, such as AI-driven analytics and real-time environmental monitoring systems, to tackle the region’s challenges effectively. A robust monitoring and evaluation plan will be in place, with clear key performance indicators to track progress and impact.
Furthermore, the project will include an entrepreneurial program, which will stimulate the growth of start-ups in the Black Sea Region in support of the blue economy. The specific criteria of the incubation will be the involvement of the teams, which address territorial challenges with solutions of artificial intelligence and other state-of-the-art technologies. The incubator will be designed jointly by the project partners with a relevant mentorship program which will capitalize on the outputs of previous activities such as training, workshops, and distance learning schools.
Project outputs
Comprehensive Data Collection and Monitoring:
- Real-Time Environmental Monitoring: Deploy advanced monitoring systems, including floating stations equipped with sensors to continuously track water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and salinity. These systems will provide real-time data to promptly address environmental changes.
- Big Data Integration: Aggregate data from multiple sources to provide a holistic view of the aquaculture environment, enabling better decision-making and policy formulation.
Black Sea Aquaculture Observatory:
- Scientific Research and Assessment: Conduct thorough research on species distribution, growth rates, and the impact of fishing on marine habitats. This will inform sustainable management practices and policy recommendations.
- Stock Assessment: Evaluate fish population sizes and productivity to determine sustainable harvest levels, preventing overfishing and ensuring long-term ecological balance.
AQUA-SMART Portal:
- AI-Driven Analytics: Utilize artificial intelligence to provide predictive modeling, real-time environmental data integration, and personalized recommendations for stakeholders. This will enhance decision-making processes and operational efficiency.
- E-Learning System: Develop an AI-boosted e-learning platform that offers tailored educational resources and training programs for various stakeholders, enhancing their knowledge and skills in sustainable aquaculture practices.
Business Incubators:
Support for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Establish business incubators in partnership with universities and industry stakeholders to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the aquaculture sector. These incubators will provide mentorship, training, and access to funding and resources, supporting the growth of new sustainable aquaculture enterprises. For the implementation of a successful incubation program, we will capitalize on some other Black Sea projects results.
Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing:
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector, civil society, and academia, to promote knowledge sharing and collaborative problem solving.
- Policy Support and Compliance: Provide scientific advice and data to policymakers to formulate and implement effective fisheries management plans and regulations, ensuring compliance and enforcement.
Target Group: Local fishers, scientific community, government agencies, NGOs.
E-AQUAF aims to develop a robust, innovative monitoring system and sustainable water usage models will optimize the monitoring system for efficient and sustainable aquaculture operations.
