Mass removal of the black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) – Possibilities for self-sustaining commercial farming in Serbia (ID: 31053-2)
About project
Project title:
Mass removal of the black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) – Possibilities for self-sustaining commercial farming in Serbia (ID: 31053-2)
Acronym:
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Financier:
The Rufford Foundation (2nd Rufford Small Grant)
Budget:
£6.000 (oko 7.000 EUR)
Project duration:
2020 – 2021
Project coordinator:
University of Belgrade-Institute for Multidisciplinary Research
Project partners:
): University of Belgrade – Faculty of Agriculture (CEFAH), University of Belgrade – Faculty of Biology (Chair of Algology, Mycology and Lichenology)
Project leader for IMSI:
dr. Milica Jaćimović,
Research Associate
Project website:
Social media:
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Location:
Lake Markovačko; Centre for Fisheries and Applied Hydrobiology (CEFAH), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade
Keywords:
invasive species; black bullhead; mass removal; aquaculture; biodiversity conservation
Research Associate
Telephone:
E-Mail:
Website:
Linkage to the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Project description
This project continues long-term research on the invasive black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) in Serbia. The aim is to investigate the ecological effects of mass removal of black bullhead on fish communities and phytoplankton in Lake Markovačko, as well as to develop experimental models for its rearing in different aquaculture systems (cages, RAS, ponds). In this way, the project simultaneously addresses two major challenges: the protection of native ichthyofauna and the sustainable use of invasive biomass through commercial aquaculture.
Data
Data are collected on:
- fish populations and their structure (native and non-native species),
- ecological parameters and phytoplankton (qualitative and quantitative samples, seasonal dynamics),
- biological characteristics of black bullhead (growth, feeding, reproduction, health status),
- experimental rearing performance (efficiency of different systems and feed types).
Data are stored in IMSI and CEFAH databases. After processing and validation, they will be made available through scientific publications, project reports, and international conferences.
Results
- Empirical evidence on the impact of mass removal of black bullhead on fish communities and the ecosystem of Lake Markovačko.
- Development of new experimental rearing technologies (RAS, cages, ponds) with different feed types.
- Scientific publications in international journals (e.g. Biological Invasions, Fishes).
- Recommendations for fishery management and invasive species control.
- Potential valorization of invasive biomass through aquaculture and food use.
Project team
- Project leader (PI): dr. Milica Jaćimović
- Team:
- prof. dr Zoran Marković, dr Marko Stanković, dr Božidar Rašković and PhD students Dalibor Vukojević, Vukosav Golubović, Stefan Marjanović (CEFAH, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade); prof. dr. Dragana Predojević, dr. Marija Pećić (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade) and Students of the Faculty of Biology and Faculty of Agriculture (field and laboratory assistance)
- IMSI team: dr Marija Smederevac-Lalić, dr Gorčin Cvijanović, dr Jovana Kostić, dr Jelena Đorđević-Aleksić, dr Karolina Sunjog, dr Željka Višnjić-Jeftić, dr Dušan Nikolič, dr Stefan Skorić