The leader of the Aquatic Organism Reproductive Biotechnology Team received technical assistance for his project thanks to a call for proposals announced by the European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency (CINEA). As part of this prestigious programme, in July Dr. Radosław Kowalski hosted at the Institute’s headquarters experts whose support will contribute to strengthening efforts to achieve the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters.
Technical assistance (Cycle 2 – Technical Assistance to support communities of actors to achieve the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters objectives) aims to support selected applicants in developing, facilitating, and strengthening actions that contribute to one or more of the objectives of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters. The program includes technical assistance and feasibility studies.
“The technical assistance is an exclusive, impact-driven, coaching programme for selected signatories of the EU Mission Ocean and Waters Charter, which consists of expert support to analyse and improve each project. The technical assistance shall be tailored to each project’s maturity and objectives and support the achievement of the selected targets of the Mission.” – as we read in the Call for Expression of Interest.
As part of the assistance provided, in July this year, Dr. Radosław Kowalski hosted two experts: Tim Huntington, Poseidon Director, a sustainable aquaculture expert, and Małgorzata Smolak, Technopolis, a lawyer specializing in environmental and energy law. The assistance provided so far in the development of a project aimed at protecting the aquatic ecosystem will beconcluded with the preparation of a feasibility study.
Following the Call: “The feasibility studies shall provide an assessment of the overall viability of projects, defining risks, opportunities, and probability of success and analysing whether the planned projects are legally, technically, financially, economically, operationally, environmentally, and commercially justifiable and feasible. The studies shall also provide recommendations on how to improve the feasibility of selected actions.”
IN RESPONSE TO THE DEGRADATION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
The evaluated project focuses on the protection and monitoring of salmonid biodiversity in Central and Eastern Europe – from the Baltic Sea basin to the Adriatic Sea – with particular emphasis on the endangered species of Danube salmon (Hucho hucho). This species, like other salmonids (e.g., Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and brown trout), is highly sensitive to the effects of climate change and habitat degradation, leading to its withdrawal from natural river environments.
The project involves international cooperation between research centers, water management institutions, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of local communities from various countries in the region.
The planned actions include:
- developing and implementing new methods for monitoring the presence and condition of salmonid populations, including the use of eDNA analysis;
- developing cross-border mechanisms for the protection and renaturation of river habitats;
- initiating active conservation programs, such as the restoration of endangered populations, the creation of “living gene banks,” and the improvement of watershed management practices;
- creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge and good practices, which will enable more effective coordination of activities on a transnational scale.
The aim of the project is not only to counteract the decline in biodiversity, but also to contribute to the restoration of functional, climate-resilient river ecosystems, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the European Green Deal.
