The Kick-off meeting for the ADRISMART project will take place at the University of Shkodër on December 16, 2025, signifying the launch of a revitalized and coordinated cross-border initiative to protect the natural heritage of the South Adriatic region.

Biodiversity loss in the Adriatic marine environments is severely alarming, prompting urgent measures from policymakers as traditional solutions fail. Effective collaboration on a transnational scale is vital since ecosystems do not recognize borders. The ADRISMART project aims to address biodiversity loss through a scientifically informed, cooperative approach that promotes timely bio-conservation policies supported by data insights.

ADRISMART focuses on mariculture as a solution, seeking to reduce demand on overexploited fish stocks by providing alternatives to consumers. The project has two primary objectives: enhance technological innovation in mariculture with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and establish joint best practices and stakeholder agreements for harmonized sustainable management across borders.

The project engages technical stakeholders through workshops and publications while involving citizens via dissemination events and digital campaigns. Expected outcomes include two pilot sites in Italy and Albania, a comprehensive monitoring system for water quality and animal welfare and a cloud platform for AI predictive modeling. It will also create common biosecurity guidelines and a Memorandum of Understanding to combat biodiversity loss.

Co-funded by the Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021–2027 Programme, ADRISMART brings together institutional and private partners from Italy, Montenegro and Albania: University of Bari (Lead Partner), Fondazione COISPA, Institute of Modern Technology of Montenegro, University of Shkodër, ACEPSD and EVENT Centre.

Download the Agenda HERE.