The University of Crete has been selected by the Ministry of Rural Development & Food, following a competitive evaluation by the European Commission for Health and Food Safety, to promptly initiate the establishment of the European Reference Centre for the welfare of aquatic animals. This centre, based in Crete, will be the first specialized in issues related to aquatic animals. The consortium overseeing the project’s implementation is coordinated by the University of Crete, with the Vice-Rector for Research and Development, Professor Michalis Pavlidis, serving as the scientific lead.

Partners in the project include the Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

The initiative’s success was driven by the collaborative efforts of the Research Support Unit staff at the University of Crete, who, under the guidance and coordination of Professor Michalis Pavlidis, actively contributed to the preparation of the joint proposal in tandem with the research teams of the partnering institutions. Furthermore, the project benefited significantly from the support and contribution of the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, and the staff of the Directorate of Animal Protection, Pharmaceuticals, and Veterinary Applications, in the establishment of the Reference Centre.