As Morski writes on the 27th of May, 2019, Prof. Dr. Matthias Gauly, a professor at Bolzano University and President of the European Association of Animal Science (EAAP), one of the largest animal breeding associations in Europe, has been in the Zadar area in recent days.

With the help of doc. dr. sc. Ivan Župan from the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture of the University of Zadar, he got better acquainted with Zadar's local aquaculture. Namely, EAAP didn't have a section on this aspect of agricultural production, which was recently established by Dr. Župan. Gauly got to know the production processes which take place in Cromaris and with Kali tuna out in the field, and he's leaving Zadar with positive impressions, according to HRT Radio Zadar.

''Our department was actively involved in the co-organising of the EAAP Congress last year in Dubrovnik, where we presented, along with other participants such as AGRRA and Cromaris, the state of aquaculture and our scientific work. Nearly 2,000 participants from all over the world participated in the congress, and in our section there were thirteen speakers. This year, we continued our activities. So far, we have fifteen registered participants and we're trying to create a working group that would further enhance aquaculture within this association,'' stated Dr. Župan.

A working visit was an opportunity for Dr. Gauly to understand how aquaculture is developed in a county that hold over seven percent of the state's entire share. With deputy professor prof. dr. sc. Slaven Zeljić, they visited Cromaris and Kali Tuna, where they could see how production is done live in the sea. The whole process of production was explained to them, from getting younger fish to the aspects of fish processing, which left an obviously good impression.

''As a department, we want to connect more tightly with the economy, but also with the businesses involved in fisheries and aquaculture, we're closer to the associations that can help them in their production. EAAP covers all aspects of livestock production, poultry farming, cattle breeding, general livestock farming, but so far, we have not included aquaculture as one of the fastest growing branches. This will also provide opportunities for advancement to scientists and businesses,'' said Župan.

EAPP covers a number of topics that are important to manufacturers such as health, genetics, and environmental protection.

Gauly says he has positive impressions of what he saw in Zadar and is impressed with everything he has seen there, in terms of scientific work and in terms of the collaboration with Zadar's local producers.

"I've been convinced that the production takes the environment into account and that it has a future because it's viable. I appreciate that from the beginning, the owners have collaborated with the industry, and given feedback on the state of the environment so researchers can continue to lead them. It is very positive that students are involved in all of this, who have a very critical approach. I've seen a lot of young professional people who can stay here where they are educated and who like to work. Our association also has a platform for young scientists, who will be able to express their potential through it, working with colleagues from other countries,'' noted Gauly.

The EAAP brings together experts from all European countries and better connects them with the industry.

"What I've experienced over these twenty or so years is that we gain a much better understanding among people through co-operation. I think that's more important today than ever. The friends I met at the beginning of my engagement today, I understand now much better than I ever did before. Although we differ, we retain our identities in many things. As far as Zadar University is concerned, it's very active, it's been involved in our activities from the very beginning and I look forward to our future cooperation,'' concluded Gauly.

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December 2, 2018 — The food flies in while the fish swim out. Croatian fish farms remain one of the few economic bright spots for a country that’s otherwise a net importer, said economists at the International Aquaculture Conference held in Vukovar last week, according to Morski.hr. 

The fisheries sector generated a trade surplus of almost EUR 45 million this year, according to Dragan Kovačević, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President of Agriculture and Tourism. The fishing industry’s overall success dulls the impact of a nearly-EUR 1 billion trade deficit Croatia’s had since 2012. It’s only grown since joining the bloc in 2013, adding another EUR 50 billion during the first eight months of this year.

Croatia made significant investments into aquaculture and mariculture — fish farming in sea water and fresh water, respectively — to utilize its ample coastline and zig-zagging rivers. The returns on those investments have only started coming in, according to Dragičević.

“We’re seeing a constant increase in mariculture,” he said, referring to farming fish in seawater.

Croatian fish farms have already exceeded the whitefish and tuna goals laid out in its Strategic Plan for Aquaculture, which had a 2020 deadline.

Aquaculture — often referring to fish farming in freshwater — has not developed as quickly, with disease and drought hampering production in 2018. Yet Kovačević insists production will jump past this year’s 3,200 tons thanks to new investments and incoming cash from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

There are also ongoing investments as part of a 2014–2020 Operational Program for Maritime and Fisheries, which will dole out about HRK 1.67 billion.

“Aquaculture, both sea and freshwater, are very important for the Croatian economy,” said Assistant Minister of Agriculture Ante Mišura, adding the European Commissions is allowing state aid to carp farmers experiencing reduced profits.

The boom in aquaculture comes just as the EU is trying to lower fishing quotas, making room in the market for farmed fish. Of all the fish consumed in the EU last year, 35 percent came from within the EU, of which 10 percent were raised on fish farms.

If the industry continues to grow, the signature yellow rings of fish farms and pens dotting the Adriatic and freshwater bodies throughout Croatia may become a symbol of economic progress.

To read more about Croatia’s fishing industry, click here.