engleski

RESEARCH, QUALITY AND PROMOTION OF MUSSELS FROM THE NOVIGRAD SEA (CROATIA) - PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT INOVaDA

Introduction: Collecting and/or shellfish farming along the east coast of the Adriatic Sea is of great economic and traditional importance. One of the areas where collection of wild shellfish has a long history is the Novigrad Sea (Basioli, 1956). While the natural populations of shellfish in Novigrad Sea are significantly reduced due to uncontrolled harvesting and changes in environmental conditions, mussel farming is becoming increasingly important in this area. In line with the growing demand for sources of seafood, Zadar County has licensed several concessions for bivalve aquaculture, with the aim of increasing production of shellfish in Croatia. Also, the University of Zadar (Department of ecology, agronomy and aquaculture) implements an EU funded project named “Quality and promotion of mussels from the Novigrad Sea – INOVaDA”. The project is 100% funded through the European Social Fund (priority 3, measure 3.2) with total budget of 59.282, 74 € in period from July 2015 to September 2016. Objectives: Objectives of the project are to determine the quality and production parameters (growth rate, condition index, chemical composition, stable carbon (δ13CVPDB) and nitrogen (δ15Nair) isotope compositions and microbiology analyses) of mussels from the Novigrad Sea. Also, environmental parameters in Novigrad Sea (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, stable carbon (δ13CVPDB) and nitrogen (δ15Nair) isotope compositions) are monitored to determine the overall potential of the Novigrad Sea for shellfish production. Furthermore, results will be compared with other commercial production areas (such as Krka estuary and an IMTA farm) to evaluate the potential of Novigrad Sea for bivalve farming. Although Novigrad Sea is known for its high quality wild mussels, project INOVaDA aims to investigate the possibility for introduction of new species in commercial production, such as scallops and oyster. Through the implementation of the project education and training of local producers will be carried out and transfer new knowledge and experiences from abroad to the local industry. Expected results: During the project so far non existing data on length growth, condition index and quality of Novigrad mussels from aquaculture will be documented. Knowledge about the possibilities of introducing new species (oysters and scallops) in aquaculture production in the Novigrad Sea, including appropriate cultivation techniques will be developed. Trough the mobility action of the project, experiences about bivalve aquaculture from other important areas in Europe (such as Galicia in Spain and Venice in Italy) will be disseminated to producers and public body authorities in Novigrad Sea and Croatia in general. Based on the results, promotional materials about the methods of cultivation, the quality and tradition of shellfish in this area will be prepared. Results of the research will be available (via websites, CDs and promotional materials) to farmers and public administration. Conclusion: According to the Croatian Strategy plan for development of aquaculture till 2020 one of the most important factors for the successful development of aquaculture in Croatia is to build synergy between science, public bodies, local communities and commercial sector, which is one of the main goals of the project INOVaDA. Also through the implementation of the project, mussels from the Novigrad Sea will be promoted on the local market, and we want to move forward in creating a new brand with protected designation of origin (PDO) – “Novigrad mussel – symbol of quality”.

Integrated multitrophic aquaculture ; IMTA ; mussel aquaculture ; Novigrad sea ; INOVaDA

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