Italia-Croatia

At the Adriatic Mariculture 2026 – 2nd Scientific and Professional Conference on Mariculture in the Adriatic Sea, organised by the University of Udine, the MARINET project will present itself as a dynamic and multidisciplinary initiative, contributing to a broader dialogue on the future of sustainable aquaculture in the Adriatic region. The conference, held on March 20, 2026, in Ston, takes place within the framework of the Days of the Mali Ston Oyster, a landmark multi-day celebration dedicated to the Mali Ston oyster, widely regarded as the origin and first lady of Adriatic mariculture.
Bringing together scientists, industry experts, producers, institutional representatives, public authorities, and civil society organisations, the conference serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best practices in mariculture and marine environmental protection. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, it explores ecological, technological, economic, and social dimensions of aquaculture, fostering dialogue aimed at ensuring that the development of the sector remains responsible, resilient, and sustainable over the long term, while preserving both natural resources and local traditions.
Within this context, MARINET’s participation reflects the very spirit of the conference, offering a set of complementary activities that bridge science, innovation, and society.
A central moment of the event will be the oral presentation entitled “Bioeconomic Models in Mariculture: focus on Ostrea edulis”, developed by Ivan Cescon and Prof. Federico Nassivera. The study addresses the integration of biological and economic processes in aquaculture systems, proposing a bioeconomic modelling framework focused on the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis). Tailored to the Adriatic context, the model aims to support informed decision-making under environmental and market uncertainty, highlighting the strategic contribution of economic analysis within sustainable mariculture development.
This perspective is further expanded through the poster “Theoretical Framework for a Bio-Economic model designed for a Sea Bass and Flat Oyster, an IMTA approach in the Adriatic Basin”, previously presented at EAS 2025. The work introduces an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) framework, combining sea bass and flat oyster production within a single analytical system. By linking ecological dynamics with economic performance, it provides a conceptual foundation for more efficient and sustainable aquaculture practices, aligning with the conference’s interdisciplinary vision.
Innovation in digital technologies is represented by the poster “Integrating Artificial Intelligence and PWA Technologies for Risk Management in Mariculture”, authored by Beatrice Portelli, Paolo Tomè, Daniele Lizzio Bosco, Massimo Caggiano, Marco Galeotti, and Giuseppe Serra. This contribution explores the application of artificial intelligence and progressive web applications as tools for real-time monitoring and risk mitigation in aquaculture systems. By enhancing the capacity to anticipate and respond to environmental and operational challenges, the work reflects the growing importance of digital solutions in the sector.
Complementing these contributions, the poster “Preliminary identification and localization of health and environmental stress biomarkers in flat oyster (Ostrea edulis)”, authored by Francesca Errani, Donatella Volpatti, Alessia Vetri, Nicolas Scapin, Giuseppe Arcangeli, and Marco Galeotti, provides further insight into the biological dimension of oyster farming. The study focuses on identifying key biomarkers associated with health status and environmental stress, contributing to a deeper understanding of oyster physiology and supporting more effective monitoring and management strategies in aquaculture systems.
The socio-economic dimension of mariculture is addressed through a closely interconnected set of research and outreach activities led by Greta Krešić, Professor and Head of the Department of Food and Nutrition at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management Opatija, together with her team members Jelena Kapeš and Mia Sokolović. Their contribution combines scientific analysis with direct public engagement, creating a coherent bridge between research findings and societal impact.
On the scientific side, the poster “Kako kvaliteta, sigurnost i društveni dokaz oblikuju stavove i namjeru konzumacije školjaka” explores how perceived quality, food safety, and social influence shape consumer attitudes and intentions toward shellfish consumption. The study provides valuable insights into the role of trust, communication, and perception in influencing market behaviour, highlighting how consumer confidence is a key factor in the sustainability of aquaculture value chains.
These insights are not confined to academic discussion but are actively translated into practice through the GoodAqua Food campaign, led by the same team. Building directly on the findings of their research, the campaign engages the public through interactive and promotional activities aimed at raising awareness about the nutritional value, safety, and sustainability of seafood. By transforming scientific knowledge into accessible messages and experiences, the initiative reinforces the connection between research and everyday consumption choices. In this way, research and outreach form a unified contribution, where empirical evidence informs communication strategies, and public engagement amplifies the impact of scientific work.
An important scientific contribution to the conference will also come from the Hrvatski veterinarski institut, which will present two posters addressing key biological and nutritional aspects of oyster production. The poster “Praćenje zdravstvenog statusa i reprodukcijskog ciklusa uzgajane plosnate kamenice” by Snježana Zrnčić focuses on monitoring the health status and reproductive cycle of farmed flat oysters, providing essential insights into biological sustainability and stock management. Complementing this, the poster “Nutritivna kvaliteta malostonske kamenice” by Jelka Pleadin examines the nutritional quality of the Mali Ston oyster, highlighting its value as a high-quality seafood product.
In addition to her scientific contribution, Snježana Zrnčić will take part as a panelist in the round table held at 09:00 at the Knežev Dvor, titled “Izazovi suvremenog školjkarstva: od biološke opstojnosti do gospodarske održivosti”. This discussion will address the key challenges of modern shellfish farming, from biological resilience to economic sustainability, further reinforcing the conference’s interdisciplinary and problem-oriented approach. Her role in the organising committee additionally underlines the strong institutional involvement supporting the event.
Beyond the formal scientific programme, MARINET’s activities extend into direct engagement with stakeholders during the Days of the Mali Ston Oyster. The field-oriented activity “Exploration of flat oyster aquaculture potential in the Adriatic Sea”, led by Igor Celić, involves direct interaction with local farmers through interviews and discussions, culminating in a SWOT analysis of oyster farming in the region. This initiative ensures that scientific insights are closely aligned with the practical realities and needs of producers.
Through its integrated set of presentations, posters, technological contributions, stakeholder interactions, and public engagement initiatives, MARINET embodies the conference’s core mission: fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange to support a sustainable and resilient future for mariculture in the Adriatic Sea.