Workshops at CROFISH 2025 fair concluded successfully
25/11/2025
Our project marked a successful presence at the CROFISH Fair 2025, held from 21 to 23 November in Poreč, bringing together researchers, producers, and stakeholders committed to building a more sustainable and competitive aquaculture sector in the Adriatic. Over 30 participants attended the two project’s specialised workshops on Saturday, 22 November in the Žatika Hall that showcased the latest scientific findings on oyster biology and production, digital tools, and applied solutions developed within the MARINET project, contributing to dynamic discussions, practical exchanges, and valuable feedback for the project’s ongoing activities.
A Resource for Two Territories: The Flat Oyster
The morning session addressed production, health, and nutritional quality aspects of flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), offering farmers and producers practical knowledge grounded in current research and sparked a particularly lively debate during the first workshop session. As a direct outcome of these exchanges, the MARINET team was invited by local producers to Mali Ston in Croatia, one of the Adriatic’s most renowned shellfish-farming areas, for an on-site technical meeting and workshop. Participants also completed a dedicated questionnaire, providing structured feedback that will inform MARINET’s next steps in research, capacity building, and farmer support.
Key speakers included:
• Marco Galeotti, University of Udine – Interreg MARINET project overview: synergies and innovations in cross-border fish and shellfish farming
• Igor Celić, external consultant, Istrian County Chamber of Crafts – Development of flat oyster farming and integrated mariculture approaches
• Ivana Giovanna Zupičić, Croatian Veterinary Institute – Health monitoring and reproductive cycle surveillance in oysters
• Jelka Pleadin, Croatian Veterinary Institute – Nutritional quality and food-safety aspects of oysters
Improvement of Biosecurity and Sustainability in Adriatic Mariculture
The second workshop focused on cutting-edge solutions to improve fish and shellfish health management, digitalisation, and economic planning in aquaculture. Through the questionnaire we collected participants’ views on digital tools, risk management, and the applicability of new technologies within small and medium-sized fish farms.
Expert presentations included:
• Snježana Zrnčić, Croatian Veterinary Institute – Biosecurity, risk assessment, and the role of vaccination in mariculture
• Paolo Tomè, University of Udine – MARINET PWA: integrated real-time monitoring and data-management tools for aquaculture farms
• Beatrice Portelli, University of Udine – Artificial intelligence in mariculture: current possibilities and limitations
• Federico Nassivera & Ivan Cescon, University of Udine – Bioeconomic models for decision-making in mariculture
The workshop questionnaires reflected high satisfaction levels and highlighted areas where further support is needed, particularly:
• disease prevention and health monitoring
• accessible digital solutions for small farms
• knowledge transfer on oyster reproduction and nutritional optimisation
The outcomes will feed into upcoming MARINET activities, including training modules, regional networking events, and on-site demonstrations scheduled for 2026.
