Center for Fishery and Applied Hydrobiology “Little Danube”, Experimental School Estate “Radmilovac”: Synergy of Research, Economy and Society

Abstract

In every society, initiators and promoters of the development are individuals, teams or institutions with a vision, good ideas, seriousness, but above enthusiasm to work hard. They trace the road and drive activities related to research and/or economy. In the Serbian aquaculture sector such institutions is the Faculty of Agriculture and its Center for Fishery and Applied Hydrobiology (CEFAH) (or the “Little Danube”), which operates within the Experimental school estate “Radmilovac”. The Center started to be established in 2007. Unlike other similar Centers built by state resources intended for research and scientific work, the “Little Danube” was created much more as a result of enthusiasm of a group of researchers and their readiness to cooperate with national and international institutions, but also by enthusiasm of individuals ready to financially or materially help some of the Center’s programs. The Center’s activities are directed towards improving and developing the research and economy in aquaculture. Today the Center in “Radmilovac” and its laboratories located in the building of the Faculty of Agriculture represent an education and research polygon for aquaculture development. The education part is aimed at all levels: from pre-school and elementary school level by educational visits to the “Little Danube”, where they get to know different fish species and other aquatic organisms, their culture, fishing, fishing tools; to PhD level students and researchers that increase their knowledge and skills in the Center. CEFAH is a scientific polygon: in its aquaria, tanks, RAS systems, as well as in a number of earthen ponds a range of various experiments in different areas of aquaculture are carried out and knowledge is transferred directly in aquaculture economy. The development of Serbian aquaculture is directly affected by the connection of the Center with the economy through realization of biotechnology projects, fish selective breeding programs, and experiments.