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The public launch of the project „Ensuring the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems by ecological fish farming”, project ID - ROMD00578, project acronym - EcoFishFarm, took place on 3 September 2025. The project is financed by the European Union within the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova 2021-2027 Programme, co-financed by the participating countries in the Programme, and refers to the priority 1 of the Programme - Green Communities.
EcoFishfarm is implemented by the Moldova State University (lead partner) in partnership with the Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS).
The event took place in the premises of the Institute of Zoology of the Moldova State University (MSU) and brought together the members of the project implementation teams from MSU and IULS, representatives of central public authorities (Ministry of Environment - Directorate for Nature Conservation and Biosecurity Policies, Directorate for Water Resources Integrated Management Policies, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry - Aquaculture Service), directors of research institutions within MSU and the Technical University of Moldova, managers in the field of research&innovation and finance within MSU, and scientific researchers.
Director of the Institute of Zoology, Laurenția Ungureanu, corresponding member of the Academy of the Sciences of Moldova, Dr.Hab., Prof., in her welcoming speech mentioned: „This project represents more than a collaboration between two research institutions from both banks of the Prut River — it is proof that, when we join our resources, scientific experience and visions, we can build truly relevant initiatives, with real impact on the communities and fields in which we operate.”
„Such projects are a way to make us known in the World, they highlight the potential of the Institute and the relations with partners from Romania, offering the chance to raise research standards at the international level” - stated the vice-rector for scientific activity of MSU, Georgeta Stepanov, Dr.Hab., Prof.
Within the presentation session a brief characterization of the EU Interreg funding programmes, the Interreg NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova Programme and the EcoFishFarm project was made (Lucia Biletchi, PhD, Assoc. Prof., project manager, Institute of Zoology), the development trends of organic fish farming were examined (Elena Zubcov, academician, Dr.Hab., Prof., Institute of Zoology) and the role of the project partner from Iași in achieving the objectives of the EcoFishFarm project was presented (Liviu-Dan Miron, corresponding member of the Gheorghe Ionescu-Sisesti Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, PhD, Prof., IULS).
The discussions were attended by the Head of the Research and Innovation Department, MSU, Veronica Prisacaru, PhD., Assoc. Prof., Head of the Aquaculture Service, MAFI, Viorica Țurcanu. President of the National Association of Fish Farmers of the Republic of Moldova, Arcadie Guidea, highly appreciated the intention of the researchers to contribute to the development of the fish farming sector and expressed his willingness to provide support in conducting field research and organizing training for fish farmers.
With a duration of 18 months and a total budget of €264,878.50, of which 90% is the EU contribution, EcoFishFarm ultimately aims to develop and disseminate a joint management framework plan on the development of ecological fish farming in the Prut River, which will serve as methodological and strategic support for reducing environmental pollution, obtaining the fish products of a suitable quality for a good human health.
More details on the Interreg NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova Programme are available at the address https://ro-md.net, and on the EcoFishFarm project – at https://zoology.usm.md/ecofishfarm.
Text: Lucia Biletchi, PhD, Assoc. Prof., project manager
Photo: Natalia Zubcov, PhD, Assoc. Prof.
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