A seminar dedicated to aquaponics and sustainable development in the South-Western Adriatic Sea will take place at LUM Giuseppe Degennaro University. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on 19 November 2024.

The I-AM_Smart Aquaponics project has been developing a joint aquaponics agenda to support the sustainability of aquaponics SMEs throughout the Programme area. Aquaponics is a cooperation between plants and fish and the term originates from the two words aquaculture (the growing of fish in a closed environment) and hydroponics (the growing of plants usually in a soil-less environment). The main goal in aquaponic systems is to create plant growth by using aquatic animal waste. Consequently, aquaponics uses the fish waste as a fertilizer for the plants while the plants clean the water for the fish. The plants benefit from the existence of the fish and the other way around.

Institutional greetings will be delivered at 10:30 a.m. by the Rector of LUM, Prof. Antonello Garzoni, alongside representatives from the Joint Secretariat, Dr. Agrosì and Dr. Sfregola. This will set the stage for a series of presentations from key project partners:

• Prof. Patrizia Guida (LUM Giuseppe Degennaro University)
• Dr. Tiziana Valerio (Dhitech Scarl)
• Prof. Rigers Bakiu (Albanian Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development)
• Dr. Clidiano Bellocchio (GAL Mare 'Molise Costiero')
• Dr. Igor Samardzić (Diocese of Budimlje and Nikšić of the Serbian Orthodox Church)

Eng. Nicola Sicilia from Dhitech Scarl will conclude this session with an update on the project's progress and latest developments.

Focus on Aquaponics: the second session will focus on "Aquaponics in Puglia and Molise." Federica Stella Blasi of LUM-University of Salento will discuss the strategic vision and policy goals for the region. Key topics will include:

• Development factors in Puglia and Molise by Marta Sozzo (Dhitech-University of Salento)
• Strategic management models for aquaponics companies by Licinio Corbari (Dhitech-University of Salento)
• Case studies on aquaponics management in Puglia by Alessandro Sicuro (Dhitech-University of Salento)

A round table discussion will conclude this session, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for aquaponics in the region.

The seminar will resume at 3 p.m. with presentations on Regional Agendas for Aquaponics in the South-Eastern Adriatic and cross-border cooperation opportunities.

Download the agenda here.

Discover more about I-AM_Smart Aquaponics project.