With up to 30,000 euros in aid for proposals that seek to promote marine biotechnology projects. In 2024, 9 grants were awarded, one of them on sustainable feed led by the CIM-UVigo
The European network Marinnonet, coordinated by the Marine Research Center (CIM) of the University of Vigo and co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area call, has just opened its second call for pilot projects, aimed at supporting innovative initiatives that promote the sustainable use of marine resources and boost the blue economy in the Atlantic area.
This call offers funding, up to 30,000 euros per project, to test new ideas in the field of marine biotechnology, facilitating the connection between research centers, companies and other agents in the sector. The objective is to advance the transfer of knowledge and the creation of solutions with market potential from marine resources. The aim is to promote the blue bioeconomy in three key areas: sustainable aquaculture, marine observation technologies and industrial products related to the sea.
The deadline for submitting proposals is open until October 20th and the selected proposals will receive, in addition to a financial allocation, access to the Marinnonet infrastructure and knowledge network in Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Project on sustainable feed led by CIM-UVigo
In the first call, resolved in 2024, 9 international initiatives were selected. Among them is the FunctionAlgae project, led by the University of Vigo through the PhysToFish research group of the CIM. FunctionAlgae is focused on the innovative use of ingredients derived from the algae Chondrus crispus to improve the sustainability and functionality of feeds in aquaculture, reducing the dependence on fishmeal and promoting more environmentally friendly practices.
Given the increasing demand for aquaculture products, the industry needs food alternatives that are nutritionally adequate and respectful of the environment, reducing dependence on traditional, expensive and unsustainable fishmeal. This pilot project evaluates the Ceamsea product, derived from algae meal that can be found on the Galician coast, analyzing its impact on fish growth, appetite regulation and general well-being. The initiative has the participation of the CIM, the Plentzia Marine Station of the University of the Basque Country (PÉ-UPV/EHU) and the company Ceamsa.
Along with FunctionAlgae, eight other proposals were launched in 2024 that show the diversity of approaches to marine biotechnology in the Atlantic space. Also with the participation of CIM-UVigo, the Ulvacel project is exploring the cultivation of the green alga Ulva in open waters in Gran Canaria and the Vigo estuary, with the aim of producing cellulose for sustainable materials; and To Mostfish develops molecular tools to assess the reproductive capacity of marine fish, contributing to the improvement of fisheries management and ecotoxicology studies.
What projects have you committed to in 2024?
On the other hand, the Kelp-Secure projects were approved, which advances in improving biobanking and production of kelp seeds – giant seaweed – to increase the yield and tolerance of this species in the face of climate change; KelPet, which investigates the potential of seaweed as supplements in pet food, or MiTOXin, focused on the production of certified reference materials from marine biotoxins and the analysis of new strains of microalgae.
In this same line of biotechnological exploitation, Algacap was located, aimed at genetically improving microalgae to optimize CO₂ capture and produce compounds of interest, as well as Polysal, which develops processes to extract and characterize Salicornia polysaccharides with possible applications in health.
Finally, the Transforming Marine Biomass from Sardine and Codfish Skins project, in which the CIM is also involved, works on the valorization of sardine and cod skins as a source of collagen, applying a biorefinery approach to obtain high-value products for sectors such as cosmetics, food or pharmaceuticals.
Atlantic Marine Biotechnology Innovation Network
With this new call, Marinnonet takes another step in its objective of consolidating an Atlantic network of innovation in marine biotechnology, in which the CIM plays a central role in scientific leadership and connection between sectors.
The selected projects must develop R&D&I activities with a maximum duration of nine months and at intermediate technological maturity levels (TRL 3–7), ranging from the experimental validation of concepts in the laboratory to the demonstration of prototypes in relevant environments, and only members of the consortium can submit proposals.
The CIM holds the CIGUS certification from the Regional Government of Galicia, which attests to the quality and impact of its research, and its activities are co-financed by the European Union through the 2021–2027 FEDER Program.
Source: DUVI
