On 29 October 2025, as part of the Black Sea Week and Black Sea Annual Conference, the CMA’s Technical Group (TG) on Sustainable Aquaculture (SustAqua) convened for its seventh meeting, this time in-person in Constanța, Romania. The meeting was organised with the support of the Black Sea Assistance Mechanism (BSAM) and focused on reviewing recent project developments and progress on the Joint Monitoring Programme for Black Sea Aquaculture.
During the meeting, the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP) was presented to the TG members and experts, a recognised EU platform actively involving industry in research programmes. EATiP plays a key role in fostering international cooperation, offering networking and matchmaking opportunities, serving on advisory boards, and supporting the communication and dissemination of research outcomes. In addition, the EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism’s (AAM) Knowledge Base was showcased as a valuable resource for aquaculture, which TG members noted to explore further. EU AAM is a well-established repository that provides access to the latest guidelines, best practices, projects, and academic papers, among others, enhancing research opportunities and knowledge sharing in the aquaculture sector. Supporting this session, some EU policy developments were highlighted, including the EU Ocean Pact, the 2030 Strategic Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture, the EU Blue Economy Strategy, and the Algae Initiative, all aimed at promoting sustainable development in the aquaculture sector.
Next, the AlgaeRevive project was presented as a successful project offering integrated solutions to reduce pollution in the Black Sea while stimulating blue economy opportunities. The project’s latest results, including its measurement and monitoring data tool, were shared, demonstrating coordinated efforts among partners across the region.
A key highlight of this SustAqua Technical Group meeting was the introduction of the Black Sea Joint Aquaculture Monitoring Programme (BS-JAMP). This proposed framework aims to harmonise cross-border monitoring of sustainable aquaculture through coordinated environmental and policy guidance. BS-JAMP expects to address existing gaps in regional data comparison and support evidence-based decision-making. TG members welcomed the proposal, emphasising the importance of active, transparent, and open data sharing among Black Sea countries to ensure its effectiveness and long-term value.
The 7th SustAqua Technical Group meeting concluded successfully: a continuation of the group’s work for another year, keeping up the commitment for R&D and funding opportunities, and fostering new partnerships to support sustainable aquaculture in the Black Sea region.