UNITED Project Partner meet in Person again and present first results at Aquaculture Europe 2021 on Madeira
It is 25 degrees and Funchal, Madeira’s capital, is expecting hundreds of researchers, exhibitors, students and delegates for the Aquaculture Europe 2021 at the Congress Center of the Pestana Hotel. Under the motto “Oceans of Opportunities” the many challenges Europe faces, such as social-economical threats, climate change, depletion of natural resources, pollution, food security and safety as well as human migrations were discussed. As an in person meeting after almost two years of webinars and online conference calls, the atmosphere could not be more cheerful. With great excitement did the attendees inform themselves about the most recent developments in aquaculture innovation during the trade show, discussed research findings in conference sessions and followed-up long overdue personal networking during lunch and coffee breaks. Naturally, this conference was not to be missed for the partners of the H2020 European marine multi-use project. Eva Strothotte (FuE, Germany), Gael Verao Fernandez and Ajie Pribadi (UGent, Belgium) presented their findings of the UNITED project during the “open ocean aquaculture” and “macro algae” sessions. “It was with great pleasure that I realized, how well the audience responded to the topic of multi-use and engaged in fruitful discussions,” says the project lead of the German multi-use Pilot Eva Strothotte.
The AE2021 prevention and contingency plan defined most secure procedures for the prevention and mitigation of the risk of contagion by COVID19, contributing to a safe event that has been planned in close collaboration with the health authorities and the regional government of Madeira. All AE2021 delegates and visitors had to show proof of a negative antigen test, in order to enter the event location and were required to test again after 48 hours. With these measures in place, it was shown how a big social event could successfully take place after a world-wide pandemic and might be proof of concept that it is possible to return to a pre-COVID19 way of work, travel and life.
