Pert diagram showing the structure of the research under each work package and their interactions
To facilitate the work in DIVERSIFY, the research tasks designed to address the identified bottlenecks in each selected species have been separated by scientific discipline, so separate WPs address work in a specific discipline and species. The WPs were then organized in Groups of WP (GWP) according to Research Area first, and then according to species. This was done in order to bring together researchers with similar expertise (e.g., reproduction, nutrition, larval rearing, etc.), but working in different species, thus increasing the potential for problem solving in each area of research.
The six new/emerging fish species selected in DIVERSIFY are at different stages of "inclusion" in the EU Aquaculture industry (available research and aquaculture production). Three species (meagre, pikeperch and Atlantic halibut) are already produced commercially, but there is a need for improving production technologies, diversifying products and enhancing the marketing strategies to stimulate the growth of both the aquaculture industry and market. The other three species have a high biological and economical potential (greater amberjack, wreckfish and grey mullet), but as new biological models require more work and new approaches to enter into commercial production.
DIVERSIFY has identified and prioritized the essential bottlenecks that exist in the production and marketing of each of the selected species, and designed tasks to address them. These bottlenecks were selected based on specific questionnaires to the European aquaculture industry, the input from the participating SMEs and the extensive experience in finfish domestication and aquaculture research of the participating RTD institutions. Therefore, the work plan of DIVERSIFY focuses on the main documented species-specific bottlenecks in the production of the selected species, in order to develop adequate husbandry practices and technologies for optimized industrial production.
In the area of Socioeconomics, DIVERSIFY will research the aquaculture market in general and for the new/emerging species in particular, and create new products for these species --including added value products. The research will develop strategies and tactics to increase consumer appreciation and consumption of aquaculture products in general and for the new/emerging species in particular. Finally, DIVERSIFY will develop plans together with SME Partners to exploit and maximise the potential of the new species and to increase demand within the EU and worldwide for themselves and the aquaculture sector in general.
The planned work for all six species has been organized in Research Area-Species WPs, which are then organized in six RTD Groups of WPs (GWP) according to research area, namely GWP Reproduction and Genetics, GWP Nutrition, GWP Larval husbandry, GWP Grow out husbandry, GWP Fish health and GWP Socioeconomics. This was done in order to bring together scientists with similar expertise from different species, thus increasing interactions and the potential for problem solving in each research area. The appointed GWP Leaders (GWPL) will coordinate the WP leaders working with different species in their respective GWP, and have drawn from their expertise and encouraged the maximum of interactions among Partners during the preparation of the proposal --which will continue during the programme-- in order to ensure the successful implementation of the tasks and the achievement of the proposed deliverables.
Six Species leaders (one for each of the selected species) were appointed during the proposal preparation phase and have been responsible for the identification of the production bottlenecks of each species, which was carried as described above. During the implementation of DIVERSIFY, their role will be to oversee, compile and disseminate the work done for each species in the different RTD WPs.
The Dissemination Leader (WP31) will interact with the Programme Coordinator (WP1), the WP Leaders and the Species Leaders in preparing all the dissemination material for DIVERSIFY, as well as in preparing six species-specific State-of-the-Art Seminars, which are planned for the last year of the project to disseminate the acquired knowledge to the aquaculture industry. The Dissemination Leader will be responsible also for the liaisons and dissemination of relevant project information to other relevant stakeholders, such as food processors, retailers, caterers, food scientists, consumer organizations, as well as for the preparation of the Promotional Workshops to be carried out in 4 strategic seafood consumer countries (Spain, Greece, UK and Italy) for the promotion of the project's activities and results.
DIVERSIFY has identified and prioritized the essential bottlenecks that exist in the production and marketing of each of the selected species, and designed tasks to address them. These bottlenecks were selected based on specific questionnaires to the European aquaculture industry, the input from the participating SMEs and the extensive experience in finfish domestication and aquaculture research of the participating RTD institutions. Therefore, the work plan of DIVERSIFY focuses on the main documented species-specific bottlenecks in the production of the selected species, in order to develop adequate husbandry practices and technologies for optimized industrial production.
In the area of Socioeconomics, DIVERSIFY will research the aquaculture market in general and for the new/emerging species in particular, and create new products for these species --including added value products. The research will develop strategies and tactics to increase consumer appreciation and consumption of aquaculture products in general and for the new/emerging species in particular. Finally, DIVERSIFY will develop plans together with SME Partners to exploit and maximise the potential of the new species and to increase demand within the EU and worldwide for themselves and the aquaculture sector in general.
The planned work for all six species has been organized in Research Area-Species WPs, which are then organized in six RTD Groups of WPs (GWP) according to research area, namely GWP Reproduction and Genetics, GWP Nutrition, GWP Larval husbandry, GWP Grow out husbandry, GWP Fish health and GWP Socioeconomics. This was done in order to bring together scientists with similar expertise from different species, thus increasing interactions and the potential for problem solving in each research area. The appointed GWP Leaders (GWPL) will coordinate the WP leaders working with different species in their respective GWP, and have drawn from their expertise and encouraged the maximum of interactions among Partners during the preparation of the proposal --which will continue during the programme-- in order to ensure the successful implementation of the tasks and the achievement of the proposed deliverables.
Six Species leaders (one for each of the selected species) were appointed during the proposal preparation phase and have been responsible for the identification of the production bottlenecks of each species, which was carried as described above. During the implementation of DIVERSIFY, their role will be to oversee, compile and disseminate the work done for each species in the different RTD WPs.
The Dissemination Leader (WP31) will interact with the Programme Coordinator (WP1), the WP Leaders and the Species Leaders in preparing all the dissemination material for DIVERSIFY, as well as in preparing six species-specific State-of-the-Art Seminars, which are planned for the last year of the project to disseminate the acquired knowledge to the aquaculture industry. The Dissemination Leader will be responsible also for the liaisons and dissemination of relevant project information to other relevant stakeholders, such as food processors, retailers, caterers, food scientists, consumer organizations, as well as for the preparation of the Promotional Workshops to be carried out in 4 strategic seafood consumer countries (Spain, Greece, UK and Italy) for the promotion of the project's activities and results.
