ECOAQUA
University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems
Objectives
The University Institute ECOAQUA aims to contribute to the economic development of the Canary Islands through the generation of knowledge and its transfer to society, allowing new business opportunities to be created in the marine realm.
In particular, the University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems coordinates different lines of research for better planning and integrated management of the marine environment, both from the point of view of its natural resources and to promote sustainable development of activities linked to sustainable aquaculture production, to ecotourism and to artisanal fishing from an ecosystemic approach.
In this sense, the actions of the research centre of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria aim to provide scientific support for decision-making and the implementation of European and national guidelines that favour the sustainability of marine and coastal ecosystems.
That is why, as the research activities linked to ECOAQUA have increased, we have structured ourselves into working groups, specifically: GIA, EOMAR, BIOCON, TOTMA and OFYGA, which have their own page on this portal.
Last news
Events
25/03/2025
Interreg MAC 21-27 Project ‘Blue economy and promotion of the sustainability of the coastal and marine environment in islands (ECOMARIS)’
The project 'ECOMARIS: Blue economy and promotion of the sustainability of the coastal and marine environment in islands', an initiative led by the ULPGC as main partner, through the University Institute ECOAQUA, and which involves all the island regions included in the area of cooperation of the Interreg MAC 2021-2027 Programme: Canary Islands (Spain), Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), Cape Verde, and Sao Tome and Principe.
This public presentation will be opened with an institutional welcome by the Director of Cooperation of the ULPGC, Nasara Cabrera Abu. Afterwards, the director of the University Institute ECOAQUA of the ULPGC, Ricardo Haroun Tabraue, will present the project, explaining the main objectives of ECOMARIS, as well as the work methodology, among other aspects. The event will also be attended by representatives of the eleven partners in the project, who will give a brief presentation of their respective organisations.
The main objective of the ECOMARIS project, which is being developed with the support of the INTERREG MAC 2021-2027 Programme, is to meet the strategic needs for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the participating island territories.
Date: 25 March 2025.
Time: 9:00 h. - 10:00 h.
Venue: Sala de Piedra, ULPGC institutional headquarters. Calle Juan de Quesada, 30. 35001, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Organised by: ECOAQUA University Institute of the ULPGC.
Participating research group: ECOMARIS team within the BIOCON and EOMAR groups.
Invited participants: Members of the project consortium, from the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and the participating third countries of Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Agenda of the presentation event:
- 9:00 a.m.: Welcome.
- 9:15 a.m.: Presentation of the ECOMARIS project and its main objectives.
- 9:30 a.m.: Short presentations of the project partners.
- 9:50 a.m.: Round of questions and answers.
- 10:00 a.m.: End of the event and coffee break for the attendees.
- 10:30 a.m.: Closing of the public event agenda.
The 11 partners participating in the Project are listed below, for each of the regions:
- Canary Islands, Spain: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, through ECOAQUA; Cabildo de Fuerteventura, elittoral Estudios de ingeniería costera y oceanográfica SLNE; Tecnofly Canarias, S.L.
- Azores, Portugal: Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas: Direção Regional das Pescas; Direção Regional de Políticas Marítim03/24/2025as.
- Madeira, Portugal: Regional Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment; ARDITI - Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation; University of Madeira.
- Cape Verde: NGO BIOSFERA 1 - Association for the Defence of the Environment
- Santo Tomé and Príncipe: Associação Amigos da Reserva da Biosfera da Ilha do Príncipe (AARBIP).
31/01/2025
A space for discussion aimed at promoting the transition towards a more sustainable socio-economic model, with a marked insular perspective. The event focuses on four main blocks: the circular and blue economy; energy, water and mobility; adaptation to climate change and biodiversity.
Date: 31st January 2025.
Time: 10:30h.
Venue: INFECAR (Bentayga Hall), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Researcher: Fernando Tuya. Panel discussion: Adapting to Climate Change - ‘Navigating Climate Challenges: Island Perspectives on Sustainable Adaptation’.
Organizer: INFECAR and Gran Canaria Island Council.
Partners: Cajasiete, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University of La Laguna, Canaragua, Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, Gran Canaria Water Board, Gran Canaria Energy Board, Canary Islands Federation of Port Companies, Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce.
Research group: BIOCON.
15/01/2025
Through this meeting with the various social agents of the Canary Islands, the aim is to generate a space for discussion on strategies for the management and conservation of the coastal and marine environment in the islands, as well as on the tools for decision-making. The event is part of the European Marine SABRES project, which focuses on balancing marine conservation with sustainable socio-economic activities, by integrating local perspectives.
Date: 15th January 2025.
Time: 9:00h - 17:00h.
Venue: Aula de Piedra (institutional headquarters of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), c/ Juan de Quesada, 30, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Registration: Form (until 14/01, 14h)
Researchers: Ricardo Haroun, Fernando Tuya, Inma Herrera, Candy Cecilia and Jesús Padrón.
Organizer: ECOAQUA (ULPGC) and Hummel Foundation for Sustainable Solutions (Holland).
Partner: Canarian Science and Technology Park Foundation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Research group: BIOCON.
Job
The University Institute ECOAQUA is a research centre that belongs to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a public institution that offers a wide range of degrees in all the major areas of knowledge, with the aim of providing comprehensive training to those who come to it, in a commitment based on innovation, quality and internationalisation.