At the event held in Vigo, the CIM 2025 Award was also presented, recognizing the international career in aquaculture of IRTA researcher Enric Gisbert
For the third consecutive year, the Marine Research Centre (CIM) of the University of Vigo held its Annual Assembly CIMentos, a gathering that has established itself as a space to strengthen the research community, share knowledge, and inspire new collaborations around marine science.
During the day, the CIM 2025 Award was presented to Professor and Head of the Aquaculture Program at the Institute of Research and Food Technology (IRTA) in La Ràpita, Tarragona, Enric Gisbert, honored for his international career in aquaculture and internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of more sustainable, responsible aquaculture focused on animal welfare.
More than a hundred researchers participated in this event, which featured eight oral presentations and around thirty posters showcasing the diversity and dynamism of the center’s research lines, covering topics from sustainable aquaculture, marine pollution, and marine biodiversity to renewable energies and the impact of climate change.
The event was inaugurated by Ana Bernabeu, Director of the Research Area at the University of Vigo, who highlighted the fundamental role that the CIM plays as a driver of knowledge, innovation, and transfer, and as a central pillar of marine research at the university.
For his part, the director of the CIM welcomed attendees and noted that “CIMentos was created with the purpose of strengthening our scientific community and providing a moment where we can get to know each other better, share results, and discover new lines of research and new people to collaborate with.” He added that this annual meeting also constitutes “a celebration of who we are: a community united by the same sea and by the shared desire to understand, conserve, and responsibly utilize its resources.”
A beacon of inspiration in European aquaculture
The CIM 2025 Award was granted to Enric Gisbert in recognition of his outstanding research career in aquaculture. As a symbol of this honor, he was presented with a Lighthouse of the Cíes Islands, an emblem of Galician science open to the ocean. During the ceremony, Daniel Rey expressed his gratitude for Dr. Gisbert’s presence, highlighting “his willingness to share his work and extensive experience with us, which serve as an inspiration to continue strengthening synergies and scientific cooperation between sister institutions.”
The presentation session opened with the keynote lecture by Dr. Enric Gisbert, who offered reflections on the challenges of aquaculture in the 21st century. In his talk, he addressed issues such as the health and sanitary management of marine farms, the impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, and the need to move toward more sustainable and responsible food production. Gisbert emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and international cooperation in tackling these global challenges, highlighting the strategic role of European marine science in this transformative process.
The diversity of marine research, the focus of CIMentos 2025
The presentations at this edition covered the four major research areas of the CIM. In the field of aquaculture and shellfishing, topics included the influence of plant-based diets and sensory additives on trout feeding, presented remotely by Jessica Calo from France, where she is conducting a research stay. Meanwhile, Mauro Chivite delved into thermal preferences and their impact on the welfare of farmed fish.
In the session dedicated to marine pollution, Vanesa Romero presented a new fluorescent sensor for detecting bisphenol A in coastal environments, while Víctor Hernando explained the advances of the MAP-Deg and CLEAR-EDAR projects on plastic emissions from wastewater treatment plants.
The marine renewable energy session included presentations by Brieuc Thomas, who analyzed the wake effect on the levelized cost of energy in floating wind farms, and Xurxo Costoya, who presented the SAFE project, focused on the survival of offshore turbines.
Finally, in the field of climate change impact, Diego Fernández presented his work on early warning systems based on numerical modeling for flood prediction, the assessment of impacts on estuaries, and the analysis of future scenarios, while Marisela Des showcased new perspectives on numerical modeling and the effects of global warming on coastal areas.
The 3rd Annual CIMentos Assembly, which is part of the actions of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, represents a unique opportunity for the center to showcase the CIM’s progress and impact, strengthening its role as a benchmark in marine research and as a driver of innovation for the sector. More than a hundred researchers from the center participated, taking advantage of this meeting to share knowledge and explore new opportunities for collaboration across different research lines, consolidating CIMentos as a highly relevant platform for advancing marine science.
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
