{"id":110,"date":"2026-06-18T18:57:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T18:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ptfos.unios.hr\/PondSustain\/?page_id=110"},"modified":"2026-08-01T05:06:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T05:06:23","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ptfos.unios.hr\/PondSustain\/index.php\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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PondSustain Kick-off Conference Successfully Held at the Faculty of Food Technology Osijek<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

June 16, 2026 <\/strong>by Mirna Habuda-Stani\u0107<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Faculty of Food Technology Osijek (PTFOS)<\/strong> successfully hosted the Kick-off Conference<\/strong> of the PondSustain \u2013 Assessment of the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fishponds in Croatia and Hungary Towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture<\/strong> project, officially marking the beginning of this important cross-border initiative under the Interreg VI-A Hungary\u2013Croatia Programme 2021\u20132027<\/strong>. The conference brought together scientists, project partners, institutional representatives, and stakeholders from Croatia and Hungary to present the project’s objectives, planned activities, and expected contributions to sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. The conference was officially opened by Tina Vlasi\u0107<\/strong>, Programme Manager of the Interreg VI-A Hungary\u2013Croatia Programme, while the event was moderated by Dr. Tibor Santo<\/strong>, President of the Council of the Hungarian National Minority of the City of Osijek and a long-standing promoter of Croatian\u2013Hungarian cooperation. Participants had the opportunity to attend presentations by Prof. Dr. Mirna Habuda-Stani\u0107<\/strong>, Project Coordinator, who introduced the PondSustain project, and Prof. Tam\u00e1s Moln\u00e1r<\/strong> from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE)<\/strong>, who presented the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for biodiversity assessment in freshwater ecosystems. The conference was attended by numerous distinguished guests from public institutions, academia, and the aquaculture sector, including representatives of the Ministry, regional authorities, research institutions, and industry. The event was particularly honoured by the presence of Mr. J\u00e1nos Magd\u00f3, Consul General of Hungary<\/strong>, whose attendance highlighted the importance of scientific cooperation between Croatia and Hungary. The Kick-off Conference provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and strengthening partnerships, laying the foundation for the successful implementation of the PondSustain project and its contribution to sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture in the Croatia\u2013Hungary cross-border region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First Joint Field Sampling Campaign Successfully Completed within the PondSustain Project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

June 11, 2026 <\/strong>by Mirna Habuda-Stani\u0107<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first joint field sampling campaign of the PondSustain \u2013 Assessing the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fish Ponds in Croatia and Hungary towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture<\/strong> project was successfully carried out between 8 and 10 June 2026<\/strong> by researchers from the Faculty of Food Technology Osijek (PTFOS)<\/strong> and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE)<\/strong>. The campaign included 13 sampling locations<\/strong>\u2014six commercial fish ponds in Croatia (Donji Miholjac and Zdenci\u2013Grudnjak) and seven fish ponds and oxbow lakes in Hungary (including Muraszemenye, Barcs, Szaporca, and P\u00e9cs). Following the agreed project methodology, water samples were collected at three representative points at each location: the water inlet, the fish pond, and the water outlet, resulting in a total of 39 water samples<\/strong>. The collected samples will be analysed to evaluate water quality and, together with environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses, will provide valuable information on fish biodiversity, endangered and invasive species, ecosystem interactions, and the ecological impacts of fishpond management. This first joint field campaign represents an important milestone in the implementation of the PondSustain project, demonstrating the strong scientific cooperation between PTFOS and MATE. The results will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for more sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture while supporting the conservation of freshwater ecosystems in the Croatia\u2013Hungary cross-border region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PondSustain Project Presented at the 4th European GREEN Conference 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

May 29, 2026 <\/strong>by Mirna Habuda-Stani\u0107<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PondSustain \u2013 Assessing the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fish Ponds in Croatia and Hungary Towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture<\/strong> project was successfully presented at the 4th European GREEN Conference (GREEN 2026)<\/strong>, held in Vodice, Croatia. As part of the conference programme, PondSustain was showcased in the GREEN Project Zone<\/strong>, a dedicated exhibition area featuring 11 national and international projects<\/strong> that promote innovative approaches to environmental protection and sustainable development. The project was presented through an oral presentation highlighting its objectives, planned activities, expected results, and its contribution to sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, and cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Hungary. GREEN 2026 brought together 290 authors from 17 countries and 88 institutions<\/strong>, who presented 96 scientific papers<\/strong> addressing current challenges related to climate change, water management, environmental protection, sustainability, the European Green Deal, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The presentation of the PondSustain project attracted considerable interest from researchers, environmental professionals, public authorities, and other stakeholders, providing valuable opportunities for scientific exchange, networking, and future collaboration. Participation in the GREEN Project Zone significantly increased the visibility of the PondSustain project and supported the dissemination objectives of the Interreg VI-A Hungary\u2013Croatia Programme 2021\u20132027<\/strong>, reaffirming the importance of cross-border cooperation in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for freshwater ecosystems and climate-resilient aquaculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Successful First Partner Meeting of the PondSustain Project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

April 21, 2026 by Mirna Habuda-Stani\u0107<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first partner meeting of the PondSustain \u2013 Assessing the Ecological and Economic Impact of Fish Ponds in Croatia and Hungary towards More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Aquaculture<\/strong> project was successfully held, bringing together representatives of the project partners and supporting institutions to officially launch the implementation phase of the project. The meeting provided an opportunity for all partners to introduce their teams, discuss project objectives, and establish a common framework for the successful implementation of project activities over the next three years. During the meeting, partners agreed on the key elements of project implementation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n