Transferring research outcomes to industry
This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 3 2025.
With its multidisciplinary team of scientists the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” conducts valuable research with practical implications. The aim is to demonstrate to potential investors the technical feasibility of these approaches.
The National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” (NIMRD) in Constanta is Romania’s leading centre for marine science. With a legacy dating back to 1970, and named after the eminent Romanian zoologist Grigore Antipa, the institute has evolved into a multidisciplinary hub for marine and coastal research, ecosystem monitoring, and sustainable development. Today, the institute plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of marine aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and marine resource management in Romania.
Research in a variety of marine-related areas
NIMRD operates as a public research institute under the coordination of the National Research Authority. It carries out scientific research, applied studies, and technical consulting on marine ecosystems, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal dynamics, environmental monitoring, and climate impacts. As the national authority on the Black Sea’s marine environment, NIMRD is responsible for regular ecological assessments and biodiversity monitoring, including under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. At the same time, it serves a broader regional role. As one of two aquaculture demonstration centres of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), NIMRD provides expertise and practical solutions for developing sustainable marine aquaculture in the Black Sea region. While its theoretical specialisation is shellfish, the institute supports both shellfish and finfish projects due to Romania’s specific needs and environmental conditions.
Marine aquaculture is of particular interest
Dr Niță, head of the Marine Living Resources Department, outlined the institute’s strong engagement with developing marine aquaculture in Romania—an underexploited but promising sector. Despite legislative ambiguity and challenging environmental conditions, NIMRD has taken a proactive role in researching species suitability, testing aquaculture technologies, and transferring know-how to potential investors. One notable example is the experimental cultivation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in marine cages. In partnership with a private entrepreneur, the institute supported trials to raise freshwater trout in the Black Sea during the colder months. Starting from 100 g juveniles reared in mountain farms, the trout were successfully acclimatised to seawater with minimal stress or mortality. The trials also determined that bigger fish when introduced into seawater took a longer time to acclimatise. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) at the institute’s facilities showed that the trout in saltwater grew twice as fast as their freshwater counterparts, likely due to accelerated metabolism and higher feed intake. This growth rate may not be realised in the sea, however, because conditions in the institute facilities are more conducive to growth than cages in the sea. While larger-scale sea cage farming is not yet fully operational, the research confirms the technical feasibility of seasonal trout farming in brackish Black Sea conditions. The fish can be in the sea from October to May when the temperature is favourable; outside this window the water is too warm for the fish. The results are particularly relevant given the growing interest in so-called “Black Sea salmon”, already being marketed by Turkish producers using similar methods. Dr Nita explains that the role of the institute is two-fold: it designs and conducts the initial trials as requested, but it also anticipates future demands for advice and services if marine and brackish water aquaculture were to take off in Romania. So, for example, he has been conducted trials on raising seabream and seabass in brackish water systems as this could prove to be another species of interest to entrepreneurs. The pilot study showed that while seabream grew rapidly the seabass grew more slowly but both species adapted quickly to the change from marine to brackish conditions.
Shellfish projects: from research to demonstration
Alongside finfish, NIMRD has been spearheading efforts to develop shellfish aquaculture. Supported by GFCM funding, the institute launched a pilot project on farming Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) using two- or three-month-old oyster spat imported from Italy and innovative circular cages also developed in Italy. The design allows cages to rotate with currents, preventing biofouling and helping shape smoother shells with higher meat yields. Early results have been promising: individuals grown in Black Sea conditions showed a meat-to-shell ratio exceeding 20%, significantly higher than the 5–15% commonly observed in the Adriatic. This high meat content is attributed to nutrient-rich phytoplankton sustained by the Danube’s freshwater inflows. Although 2024 saw colder coastal waters, oyster growth rates remained favourable, with individuals reaching market size (>35 g) within months. Plans are in place to retain them for a full year and observe longer-term growth towards 100 g. Importantly, the oyster species used is legally authorised for aquaculture in Romania.
NIMRD envisions holding a workshop in summer to present these findings and those from the fish trials to private investors, fishermen, and policymakers, aiming to give commercial actors the confidence to take up farming. Our task is to demonstrate that it is technically feasible to farm fish and shellfish in the Black Sea, says Dr Nita, adding that if demand increases, the institute plans to build a local hatchery to reduce reliance on foreign spat imports and ensure supply continuity for emerging producers.
Trials to farm oysters are conducted using circular cages that rotate with the
currents preventing biofouling and making the shells smoother.
Experiments suggest algae has vast potential
In parallel, NIMRD is investing in scaling up its capacity to cultivate microalgae and macroalgae—sectors with potentially high returns and environmental co-benefits—under the leadership of Dr Timofte. Supported by the Horizon-funded Ex-Aqua project, the institute has started developing laboratory and pilot-scale infrastructure for algae cultivation. With partners from Ghent University and Alfred Wegener Institute, the focus is two-fold: building local expertise in algal cultivation and detecting and managing harmful algal blooms. Dr Timofte explains that algae offer a more rapid return on investment compared to mussels or fish, with lower dependencies on open-sea conditions as algae can be produced in land-based facilties. The institute has already started pilot cultivation of species such as Ulva and Porphyra, valued for their use in cosmetics, biostimulants, and pharmaceuticals. Spirulina is being used as an entry-level species due to its ease of culture and market familiarity.
Macroalgae projects also support environmental restoration. One area of focus is Cystoseira barbata, a habitat-forming species under threat from measures to protect the coast from erosion. The institute is experimenting with laboratory propagation techniques both to support future restocking in the wild but also to identify the most efficient growing technologies as this will be a key factor in any investor’s considerations. It is working to adapt farming technologies from Asia and northern Europe to local Black Sea conditions, taking advantage of Romania’s high levels of sunlight, available space for land-based systems, and more favourable cost structure compared with northern European countries. Algae have many potential uses including as biofuels, feed, fertiliser, food, and in the cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries, says Dr Timofte, but initially he will concentrate on the lower-hanging fruit such as fertiliser and biostimulants for plants as the criteria for growing algae to be used in these areas are less stringent than if they are to be used as food or feed. Ultimately, the idea is to convince investors of the economic feasibility to encourage them to start a business that will boost economic activity in the region.
Applied science for environmental monitoring and safety
The institute’s work extends beyond aquaculture. Its laboratories also carry out toxicology testing on contaminants such as pesticides, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals found in the marine environment. A recent experiment focused on tebuconazole, a fungicide commonly used in agriculture. Even at low concentrations, it proved highly toxic to mullet juveniles, raising concerns about run-off impacts on coastal ecosystems. NIMRD follows OECD protocols for acute toxicity testing, aiming to build a robust database of chemical risks in the Black Sea context.
Climate change is another area of growing concern. The institute has recorded shifts in water temperature, salinity fluctuations, storm frequency, and fish migration routes. For instance, 2024 saw unusually cold coastal waters in spring, preventing the traditional migration of shad along the Romanian shoreline. Instead of being caught by seaside fishers, the species stayed offshore before entering the Danube. At the same time, last summer saw a month-long period with unusually high water temperatures that extended from the surface to a depth of 1.5 m. This was a windy period so the oxygen level of the water was quite high but often high temperature results in algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Higher temperatures are also being recorded for longer periods sometimes stretching from the summer to September or October. Storms have also intensified over the years becoming more destructive. These changes have implications for both wild fisheries and aquaculture site planning and also contribute to the spread or alien species.
Technology validation and environmental resilience
NIMRD also plays a critical role in validating the physical resilience of aquaculture infrastructure. In 2024, the institute‘s test installation withstood a record-breaking 7.4-metre wave, exceeding previous predictions. The successful endurance of these installations challenges scepticism from fishers and policymakers who believed the Black Sea’s storminess would prevent aquaculture. The key, Dr Niță insists, is to follow technical specifications rigorously rather than cut corners on costs. This cautious but evidence-driven approach underpins all of NIMRD’s field experiments. Whether testing fish growth rates, oyster mortality, or the structural stability of floating cages, the institute aims to provide commercial actors with real-world data. In the absence of mature private investment, NIMRD’s small-scale trials serve as vital demonstrations of feasibility.
While NIMRD is not a commercial producer, it does have the legal option to establish spin-offs or collaborate with start-ups. This flexibility is increasingly important as it looks to support innovation while remaining focused on its core research mission. The institute is currently evaluating internal procedures for such partnerships, with the goal of fostering sustainable businesses that apply NIMRD’s findings in real-world settings. Energy self-sufficiency is another future objective. Rising electricity costs have prompted the institute to apply for photovoltaic infrastructure to cover its own consumption. While regulatory and technical barriers remain, Dr Timofte notes the long-term importance of reducing reliance on external energy sources, especially given the demands of laboratory cultivation and aquaculture systems.
Renovated laboratories newly equipped with recirculation aquaculture systems
that are used to study rainbow trout behaviour in saltwater.
A bridge between research, regulation, and entrepreneurship
Ultimately, NIMRD’s value lies in its ability to act as a bridge. It provides scientific grounding to policymaking, technical advice to entrepreneurs, and environmental data to both national and EU-level monitoring frameworks. The institute’s team, composed of biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, and technicians, collaborates across disciplines and borders to tackle complex marine challenges. Dr Niță and his colleagues regularly engage with international networks, from the GFCM and FAO to university consortia and Horizon-funded projects. While Romania’s marine aquaculture sector is still in its infancy, NIMRD has created the preconditions for its take-off. By generating knowledge, demonstrating viability, and sharing expertise, the institute positions itself as a cornerstone of Romania’s blue economy. As climate pressures intensify and Europe pushes for greater food security and sustainability, the Black Sea region cannot be left behind. Institutions like NIMRD ensure that Romania can participate not just as an observer, but as an active, evidence-based contributor to the future of marine resource management.
