Rational capitalisation of aquatic biological resources – the topic of the round table organized in Slobozia Mare, Cahul district

A roundtable discussion entitled "Rational capitalisation of aquatic biological resources" took place on 29 April 2026 at the mayoralty of Slobozia Mare village, Cahul district. The event was organized by the Institute of Zoology of the Moldova State University within the project ROMD00578 "Ensuring the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems by ecological fish farming" - EcoFishFarm (Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova Programme 2021- 2027, financed by the European Union and co-financed by the participating countries in the Programme).

The roundtable aimed to strengthen the commitment and capacity of local public authorities (Slobozia Mare and Văleni mayoralties), of the population of Slobozia Mare, localities on the border with Romania, regarding the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution, the conservation of biological diversity in the Prut River basin and the development of fish farming.

Taking into account that fishing in the Prut River is a traditional occupation of the local population, the researchers informed the participants about the importance of respecting the fishing prohibition periods, the possibility of reducing the pressure on natural fish resources by practicing fish farming (Dr.Hab. Dumitru Bulat), fish diseases and their zoonotic importance (PhD Ion Gologan), the quality and rules for storing fish products (Acad. Elena Zubcov). A special attention was given to the factors that limit biological diversity in the aquatic ecosystems of the Republic of Moldova, especially the fluvial ones (PhD Lucia Bilețchi).

The discussions were useful for both locals and researchers, being outlined some directions for scientific collaboration, especially with employees of the "Lower Prut" Biosphere Reserve, and in the field of ecological education.

The EcoFishFarm team would like to sincerely thank the mayoralty  of Slobozia Mare village for hosting the event, inviting the participants, and, in particular, Mayor Valentina Carastan for her openness to the initiative of the Institute of Zoology.
 

Text: Lucia Bilețchi, manager of the project EcoFisFarm

Photo: Elena Zubcov, Liubovi Lebedenco