New Aquaculture Demonstration Centre Opens in Heraklion
Heraklion, Crete – The Mediterranean region took a significant stride towards sustainable aquaculture this week with the inauguration of the Mediterranean Marine Finfish Aquaculture Demonstration Centre (MMF-ADC). Set in Crete, the launch featured a five-day practical training programme, bringing together experts and policymakers from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The MMF-ADC is the seventh and most advanced facility of its kind within the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas. This centre was established through a collaboration between the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), with additional support from the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC). Located at the HCMR campus in Heraklion, this centre serves as a crucial platform for integrating scientific knowledge, technical training, and practical application, all aimed at fostering innovation and best practices in aquaculture.
Transferring Knowledge for Sustainable Seafood
“After decades of cutting-edge research and with the impressive growth of the Greek aquaculture sector—now a leader in marine fish production within the European Union—we aim to share this expertise with other nations and stakeholders to sustainably enhance the availability of aquaculture-produced healthy seafood,” remarked Dr. Constantinos Mylonas, Director of the HCMR.
What distinguishes this Aquaculture Demonstration Centre is not only its modern infrastructure but also its unique collaboration with the European Union Reference Centre for the Welfare of Aquatic Animals (EURCAW-Aqua), managed by the University of Crete. This integration of production, research, and animal welfare within a single demonstration centre sets a new standard for ethical and climate-smart aquaculture in the region.
Advancing Aquatic Animal Welfare
“Established in January 2024, the EURCAW-Aqua aims to be the global gold standard for services provided to national authorities in EU member states, focusing on improving the welfare of aquatic organisms. It emphasizes farmed species of economic importance to European aquaculture, striving to simultaneously enhance welfare and sustainability through science across the Mediterranean,” stated Professor Michail Pavlidis, Director of EURCAW-Aqua.
Fostering Inclusive Growth
The MMF-ADC in Heraklion is part of a growing network of ADCs established by the GFCM to act as regional hubs for training, research, and knowledge sharing. These centres are customized to meet the specific needs of their subregions and aim to advance scientific research, provide technical support, showcase best practices in aquatic food production, and enhance stakeholder capacity. Through a focus on empowering women, youth, and small-scale farmers, the ADCs strive to create a more inclusive and resilient aquaculture sector while fostering cross-border collaboration.
Through its ADCs, the GFCM is committed to directly bringing innovation to those who need it most. This includes the introduction of new technologies, supporting small-scale producers, and connecting scientific insights with policy development. By equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge, ADCs empower them to enact meaningful changes and propel aquaculture development within their countries.
A Milestone for Sustainable Growth
The MMF-ADC opening marks a pivotal moment in this ongoing effort, following the Regional Aquaculture Conference held in Heraklion in December 2024. The growing support from Greece in GFCM activities highlights a dedication to technical cooperation and capacity building. As aquaculture continues to expand in the Mediterranean and Black Sea—currently producing 1.38 million tonnes annually and valued at USD 4.5 billion while supporting over 100,000 direct jobs—the urgency for sustainable and inclusive growth is increasingly pressing. However, much potential remains untapped across much of the southeastern Mediterranean.
Empowering Participants
“The training was an enriching experience that provided practical skills in modern aquaculture, facilitated by expert trainers and excellent facilities at the ADC. I am grateful to the GFCM and the Heraklion ADC team for this inspiring opportunity,” commented Dr. Amany Ahmed Mohamed, General Manager of Veterinary Affairs at the Lake and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency in Egypt.
As the training concluded, participants departed from Heraklion with not just enhanced technical skills but also a renewed commitment to developing an aquaculture sector that reflects the principles of the GFCM 2030 Strategy. By bridging science, policy, and practice, the MMF-ADC is becoming a powerful catalyst for blue transformation in the region.
