Europe’s first aquatic animal protection center to open in Crete, Greece

The innovative European Center for the Protection of Aquatic Animals, a key bastion for the conservation of biodiversity through the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems, will be opened on the island of Crete.

The decision was announced in Luxembourg, following discussions during the recent meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries between the Greek Minister of Agriculture Lefteris Avgenakis and the Commissioner EU on Health and Food Safety by Stella Kyriakides.

The European Union’s reference center for the protection of aquatic animals will be based at the University of Crete. The purpose of the center is to make a valuable contribution to the formation of EU policy frameworks. It will work jointly with the Biological Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague and the University of Barcelona and aim to conduct cutting-edge research related to the well-being of aquatic organisms.

The unique center will become a vital bastion for the conservation of biodiversity through the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems. The European Union has already created three similar reference centers that deal with issues of animal welfare: small farm animals, poultry, pigs, horses and ruminants.

In his statement, the Greek Minister of Agriculture highlighted the potential of the project to create new centers and jobs. It will support local manufacturers with modern expertise and advanced tools. The creation of the center, Mr. Avgenakis is convinced, will provide vital experience to producers not only in Greece, but throughout the EU.

The Greek Ministry suggests writes GreekReporter that the University of Crete will strengthen its identity as a leading academic center in Europe. This will be achieved by promoting cutting-edge research in the areas of aquatic animal welfare, environmental protection and improved water resource management.

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