Fundo Azul allocates support of 172,928 Euros to an industrial research project led by Oceano Fresco, in collaboration with IPMA and CIIMAR
Funds will be used to develop selection tools to be used in the Ruditapes decussatus selective breeding program .
Mira, August 5, 2019. The aquaculture startup Oceano Fresco obtained funding from Fundo Azul to develop an industrial research project in partnership with IPMA and CIIMAR. The project will lead directly to the optimization of the production of ruditapes decussatus at the Oceano Fresco Biomarine Center in Nazaré.
The Fundo Azul, managed by the Directorate-General for Politics of the Sea (DGPM), approved funding of 172,928 Euros, corresponding to an average funding rate of 87% of the total amount of 199,105 Euros of eligible expenditure, which is included in the typology of operation 'Blue Biotechnology'.
Headquartered in Mira, in the municipality of Coimbra, Oceano Fresco uses traditional methods and innovative science-based approaches for the production and systematic improvement of high value-added bivalve species, starting with a well-known species of clam that the company hopes to reintroduce to the international market at a competitive price. Oceano Fresco brings together an internationally renowned team of entrepreneurs, managers, advisers, scientists and technicians, and aims to become a reference in the €20 billion shellfish market and contribute to higher levels of sustainability in food production at global.
Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) is a public institute dedicated to strategic research, technological development on management and conservation of marine living resources, aquatic environments, pollution, toxicology and aquaculture of molluscs and fish, innovation, services and outreach activities in the sea and atmosphere. IPMA is the only government research laboratory in fisheries and aquaculture in Portugal and guarantees scientific and technical support to the policies defined by the Ministry of the Sea. The Aquaculture and Breeding Division (DivAV) handles pre-competitive research and experimental development for fish and shellfish production. The facilities at the Tavira Experimental Mollusc Production Station include a maternity ward and a nursery with its own production of microalgae, as well as facilities in an open area for culture and growth of juveniles and adults.
The Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) is a leading research and advanced teaching institution at the University of Porto, working on the frontier of Oceanic Knowledge and Innovation. CIIMAR uses knowledge-based approaches to promote natural capital and sustainable management of marine resources through monitoring ecosystem health, optimizing aquaculture and biotechnological exploitation of resources for environmental and human health applications. In 2016, CIIMAR members published 398 articles in international journals and successfully contributed to the graduation of 22 PhD students and 81 Master's students. In addition, in 2016 three patents were filed, reflecting the growing impact of their research and the successful implementation of measures to increase technology transfer.
