ROMANIA
Fish Culture Research and Development Station Nucet
New consultancy centre for fish farmers is launched The Fish Culture Research and Development Station Nucet is a research institute that supports the aquaculture industry in Romania. In addition to research, Nucet is one of two hatcheries producing the larvae and fry of species grown by farmers in their ponds. Recently, Nucet entered a new phase with the launch of a centre established to provide consultancy services to aquaculturists.
T
he successful completion of a project to establish a centre for advice and consultancy for fish farmers was celebrated in style. A seminar organised by Nucet was attended by fish farmers, scientists, and members of the administration to commemorate the realisation of an idea that dates back many years. This was the need to create a formal mechanism that would allow the transfer of technology to fish farmers and to assist them in ensuring that their projects conformed to all the relevant legislation both national and from the EU. In addition, Nucet will carry out all the necessary physical, chemical and biological analyses for environment impact assessments including for the water
going in to and coming from a fish farm. Nucet will also advise farmers on the paperwork required for environmental authorisations if, for example, the farm is operating on a Natura 2000 site.
Centre to assist farmers in four main areas For investors in fish farming the services provided by the centre will be very useful. Dr Miora Costache, the director of Nucet, says the centre from the start of the process will assist the investor in getting all the permits and creating the necessary documentation. Nucet had been providing these services to the industry even before the centre was established, but now the creation of the centre Dr Miora Costache, Director, Fish Culture Research and Development Station Nucet
The Centre for Aquaculture Consultancy Services just established at Nucet will advise ďŹ sh farmers on legal and technical matters. 50
means the whole structure has been formalised. Assistance will be provided in an organised way with a basis in the law. The centre will provide services in four areas, environment, welfare, health, and marketing and promotion. These disciplines will be covered by staff from Nucet as well as external experts with whom the centre will cooperate. For investors what is perhaps interesting is that the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund offers support to the
farmer if she or he uses this kind of service. Dr Costache is hopeful that the level of interest from the industry in using the centres services will reach a point where it will be possible to start hiring additional staff for the centre. Dr Costache emphasises that the purpose of the centre is not to compete with the consultants who currently assist fish farmers and investors with their projects. On the contrary she sees the role of the
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