DEMONSTRATIVE CENTER FOR PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE IN THE BLACK SEA

Demonstrative module for mussel aquaculture (Mytilus galloprovincialis),hosted by NIMRD „Grigore Antipa“ Constanta

Dr. Eng. Simion NICOLAEV, Dr. Victor NIŢĂ

• Since 2012 at the first meeting of the GFCM Black Sea Working Group (WGBS),January 2012, it was concluded that mariculture is a development priority forthe Black Sea region.

• The main features identified:❑Heterogeneous development in the various regions of B.S. (Turkey vs.

Bulgaria vs. Romania)❑Constraints related to environmental factors (climate, salinity, exposed

coastline, no sheltered areas)❑Difficulties in integrating mariculture with other uses of the marine and

coastal environment (transport, tourism, etc.)❑The need to implement an appropriate legislative framework with clear

certification procedures for marine aquaculture products❑However, there is expertise in the area regarding artificial reproduction,

guided growth, disease management, etc.

• In this context, NIMRD "Grigore Antipa" Constanta has stated its willingness to take over the hosting and coordinationof all the actions envisaged by the establishment of a demonstration aquaculture center in Constanta.

• At the Meeting on the Establishment of a Demonstrative Center for the Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture in theBlack Sea, September 27-28, 2017, Constanta, Romania, it was decided:❑ NIMRD "Grigore Antipa" will host and coordinate a demonstration production module for the cultivation of

mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)❑ CFRI Trabzon, Turkey, will host and co-ordinate a Demonstrative Module of Growth and Repeated Breeding of

turbot (Psetta maxima) and trout (Salmo trutta labrax)

Arguments for selecting NIMRD

• NIMRD has qualified staff. The Institute's specialists have knowledge and practical experience in Marine Aquaculture,namely: knowledge of biology, ecology and ethology of the main species of invertebrates and marine fish; cultivation ofsmall-scale microalgae and invertebrates (mainly used as live feed, but also in the production of valuable biochemicalextracts and compounds); the cultivation of invertebrates and fish species usable both commercially and ecologically.

• Extensive experience in marine aquaculture through the projects developed (fish species of commercial interest:mugilidae, trout, turbot, sturgeon and invertebrates: shrimp and mollusks - mussels, oysters).

Arguments for selecting NIMRD

• Existing infrastructure: 6.500 sqm headquarters, offices, experimental pools, measurement laboratories and specializedanalyzes, equipped with high performance equipment for sample processing and analytical investigations, marineaquaculture laboratory and ecological reconstruction, laboratory for the study of living marine resources, mobile laboratoryfor marine habitats mapping and scientific diving, intranet / internet access server system, microbiology / phytoplankton /macrobenthos / marine biochemistry laboratory, specific technical installations and equipment such as: research vessel forcollecting fishery and oceanographic data, equipped with equipment sampling of abiotic and marine biotic samples, fishingequipment.

• As a result, a technical meeting of the ADC Black Sea Focus Technical Meeting was held in Trabzon in March 2018, presenting the production demonstration modules for the cultivation of Mytilus galloprovincialis, Scophthalmus maximus and Salmo truttalabrax. At this meeting were discussed the possible training programs, a road map and a work plan were identified and the future structure of the ADC focal points in Constanta and Trabzon was detailed.

• Demonstration training on mussel growth is the first of the modules proposed by INCDM for Black Sea aquaculture, and takes place at the Institute's headquarters. In particular, this training focuses on techniques for growing mussels, due to its demand for cultivation as a native common species in the Black Sea coastal zone.

• The demonstration production module for mussel culture is based on longline technology and has 2 components:• Longline system on sea floats + boats• Shore facilities (analytical laboratories and purification system)

• The demonstration module for mussel production forms the basis of training activities in the field of mitiliculture and covers allaspects of the production cycle:• Biology and ecology of M. galloprovincialis;• Providing brood and collecting larvae from the natural environment;• Design and construction of the long-line system;• Mussel growth and handling technologies;• Mussel processing and purification technologies;• Production management systems (production costs, market analysis);• Training in methodological and practical aspects of the sanitary-veterinary classification of mollusks for domestic

consumption / export.

• Marine aquaculture requires suitable sites with good water quality and other environmental characteristics, where aquaculturecan be initiated without causing conflicts with other users within an integrating coastal zone management perspective (IUCN, 2009).

• An ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) is a strategy for the integration of the activity within the wider ecosystem such that it promotes sustainable development, equity, and resilience of interlinked social-ecological systems

• AZA are areas in which there is no interference with other activities or users; environmental conditions allow the development of the activity and minimization of impacts, and therefore are declared of priority use for the development of aquaculture by the competent authority.

• Module 1 - Biological bases of bivalve cultivation

• The theoretical part of the first module of the training course presents the general data on the Black Sea benthic biocenosesand their main characteristics.The main species of mollusks suitable for exploitation and aquaculture on the Romanian Black Sea coast are also presented.In addition, the main habitats where the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) lives in the Black Sea and its physiological adaptations are approached.Also, general data on anatomy and physiology of mussels (M. galloprovincialis) are presented. The emphasis is on their development, reproduction cycle and the factors that influence them.The practical part of the module consisted in presenting to the students the stages of carrying out a laboratory experiment on the mussel filtration rate and making observations on the anatomy of the mussels under the binocular magnifyer.

• Module 2 - Mussel culture systems

• The theoretical part of the module is centered on presenting the construction of the long - line systems, the ones with the greatest expansion in the world and which are very important for our area by placing them off the coastal waters. For some time, the possibilities of suspending mussels in offshore areas have been studied. The systems that have been studied and developed can be grouped into two major groups: Bates and long - lines. The long - lines method consists of a main horizontal line, anchored with lures, and which is maintained on the floating line by means of floats. Collectors are suspended, thus harnessing the target species of culture. The second subject of the theoretical part is centered on the subject of the harvesting of the juveniles. The production cycle begins with the extraction of mussel brood, the size of which varies from 1 cm to 2-3 cm.Mussel juveniles are naturally encountered on cliffs, supporting elements of the marine platforms, wood. They are harvested with the help of divers by scraping. After setting up the farm, juveniles can be collected directly from the farm.

• The third part of this module relates to growth techniques. After filling the culture bags with young mussels, they are put into the growth facility for fattening. As the mussels grow in weight, the bags / collectors are extracted from the water and placed on the board, following mechanical or manual sorting and bag replacement depending on size. After the bags are replaced, they are repositioned in the plant. This operation takes place 1 to 3 times within a production cycle, depending on the mussel growth rate or the size we want to market. The cleaning process is required several times throughout the production cycle, as mud deposits and epibiotic organisms (such as Balanus) may occur which reduce the growth of mussels or suffocate them. Cleaning is done by removing the mussels from the water, placing them on board the vessels and washing with water jet under pressure. After this operation, the mussel bags are put back into the water. The practical part of the module is centered on a trip for a field visit of an operational farm using the long - line culture system.

• Module 3 - Legislation - Licensing

• The theoretical part of Module 3 covers the current European legislative package on the production and marketing of live bivalve mollusks, focusing in particular on sections of interest for the microbiological problems of bivalve mollusks regarding the monitoring and classification of production or relocation areas (Directive 91 / 492 / EEC). The practical part of the module aims to provide expertise for field work at sea, enabling trainees to acquire the skills required to monitor the activity of mollusk farming waters in order to obtain the classification and maintenance of the status of appropriate bivalve waters. The field expedition demonstrates practical aspects of bivalve and seawater monitoring and includes the collection of seawater and mussel samples, preparation and storage prior to microbiological analysis.

• Module 4 - Microbiological monitoring

• The theoretical part of Module 4 provides a presentation of the main pathogens and indicator bacteria from surrounding waters. Trainees become familiar with the fundamental concept of monitoring fecal bacteria (fecal coliforms) and the sanitary -veterinary risks due to pathogenic microorganisms associated with marine bivalves.

The practical part of the module focuses on estimating E. coli. E. coli is a member of the group of fecal coliforms and is a more specific indicator of fecal pollution than other fecal coliforms. In this practical course, trainees learn about the conventional method used for counting Escherichia coli in the mussels and nearby marine waters to determine their sanitary quality and to predict the risk of exposure to enteric pathogens.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

• National and local authorities involved in the planning, management and control of aquaculture;• Private sector: small investors with low investment potential (e.g. Maricultura LTD.), potential investors, small entrepreneurs,

including fishermen;• Public institutions and NGOs - to raise awareness of the importance and relevance of aquaculture for the region;• National and international research institutions;• Existing and future partnerships between fishery/aquaculture stakeholders and other sectors of the public and private

sector (FLAGs, fisheries associations/organizations).

Thank you for the attention!