Between 7 and 12 September, researchers from CESAM/DBIO carried out the first mission in São Vicente, Cabo Verde, under the BioAquaCV – Development of Biomarkers and Analytical Procedures for Aquaculture in Cape Verde project, developed in partnership with IMar – Instituto do Mar de Cabo Verde and the AIR Centre.
The mission involved Rui Rocha, a CESAM researcher and professor at the Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro, and Lourenço Ramos-Pinto, a CESAM/DBIO researcher, and included theoretical and practical training activities for IMar technical staff. The activities focused on quality assurance and quality control methodologies, sampling and sample preservation procedures, monitoring of the different stages of aquaculture production, and the use of biomarkers for the early identification of biological risks and assessment of the condition of organisms.
BioAquaCV aims to develop, simplify and transfer to Cabo Verde methodologies and operational procedures that enable standardised data collection, the implementation of simple and robust protocols, and the generation of comparable information across batches, production units and different stages of the production cycle. Building the capacity of local teams is therefore a central component of the project.
During the mission, visits were also made to aquaculture facilities and organisations in Cabo Verde, making it possible to identify specific needs within the sector and create new opportunities for collaboration between CESAM, IMar, the AIR Centre and Cabo Verdean aquaculture companies. These partnerships may lead to future projects aimed at improving production efficiency, animal health and welfare, monitoring production systems, and enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture.
The mission took place at a particularly important time for the recovery of IMar’s scientific and technical capacity. The institution is preparing for the rehabilitation of its facilities, which were severely affected by Tropical Storm Erin, which struck São Vicente on 11 August 2025, with the aim of resuming and strengthening aquaculture research.
The project has also contributed to the restoration of IMar’s laboratory capacity following the damage caused by the storm, through the provision of an optical microscope and a stereomicroscope. Funded by the AIR Centre under the international BioAquaCV project, this equipment will enable basic laboratory analyses, the observation of biological samples, and support for training and research activities.
This first mission represents an important step towards strengthening technical and scientific capacity in aquaculture in Cabo Verde, promoting knowledge transfer, human resource development, and the development of solutions tailored to the needs of Cabo Verde’s aquaculture sector.
