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
23/06/2026
ECOMARIS, a territorial cooperation project led by the ECOAQUA University Institute of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and carried out with the support of the INTERREG MAC 2021–2027 Programme, in line with its Priority Axis 1. MAC Inteligente will hold its 2nd In-Person Meeting in Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, from Tuesday 23 June to Friday 26 June. The event will be hosted by the Fuerteventura Island Council, through the Biosphere Reserve.
The meeting will be attended by the project partners, with representatives from organisations in the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Azores. Over the course of the four-day event, internal coordination activities within the consortium will be combined with training sessions through three workshops aimed at professionals and organisations involved in the observation, management and conservation of the coastal and marine environment.
The meeting will begin on Tuesday 23 June with an official opening ceremony, which will take place between 10.15 and 11.00 am at the Palacio de Formación y Congresos de Fuerteventura (Fuerteventura Training and Conference Centre).
The event will be attended by Marlene Figueroa Martín, Third Vice-President and Regional Minister for Tourism, Economic Development, Ecological Transition, Environmental Sustainability and Security; Yaiza Fernández-Palacios Vallejo, researcher at the ECOAQUA Institute of the ULPGC and coordinator of the ECOMARIS project; João Gama Monteiro, associate researcher at the Faculty of Life Sciences of the University of Madeira and a full member of MARE-Madeira and ARDITI; and Antonio Gallardo Campos, director of the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve.
Next will be the three workshops which, as part of Activity 3.1 of the project entitled ‘Training and capacity building for the observation, management and conservation of the coastal and marine environment’, will take place exclusively in person on 23 and 26 June. The programmes for these workshops can be viewed via the following link on the ECOMARIS website: https://www.ecomaris.eu/es/blog/ecomaris_talleres_fuerteventura_junio_2026-a5737.html.
These events are aimed at public authorities, technical and scientific staff, organisations involved in coastal and marine management, technology and environmental consultancy firms, marine conservation organisations, and partners of the ECOMARIS project.
Participation in the workshops requires prior registration via the following link.
Workshops:
-WORKSHOP 1: ‘Underwater noise, passive acoustic monitoring and applications for marine management’.
-WORKSHOP 2: ‘Preparation of geographic data and metadata for integration into the Spatial Information Infrastructure (SII) and to support decision-making’
-WORKSHOP 3: ‘Drones, on-board sensors and geospatial data for the observation of coastal and marine environments’
Meanwhile, 24 and 25 June will be devoted to the annual meeting to coordinate and review the project’s activities, which is reserved for consortium partners.
Throughout the event, the project exhibition will be open to visitors at the Fuerteventura Training and Conference Centre between 10.00 and 12.00 and between 17.00 and 18.30. Here, visitors will find several information panels explaining the objectives of ECOMARIS, as well as various models depicting marine life. For guided tours of this exhibition, advance booking is required by calling 676978871. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a marine experience using virtual reality headsets.
Project participants:
Canary Islands:
-University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, through ECOAQUA.
-Fuerteventura Island Council, through the Biosphere Reserve.
-elittoral Estudios de ingeniería costera y oceanográfica SLNE.
- Tecnofly Canarias, S.L.
Azores, Portugal:
- Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries: Regional Directorate for Fisheries.
- Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies.
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:
-BIOSFERA 1 – Association for the Defence of the Environment.
São Tomé and Príncipe:
-Association of Friends of the Príncipe Island Biosphere Reserve (AARBIP).
Date: 23–26 June 2026.
Venue: Palacio de Formación y Congresos de Fuerteventura. Plaza del Centenario del Cabildo de Fuerteventura, No. 1, 35600, Calle Eliseo Gómez Ordoñez, 5, 35600 Puerto del Rosario, Las Palmas
Organisers: Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve (Cabildo Insular de Fuerteventura), ECOAQUA and ECOMARIS partners.
Participating research group: BIOCON.
Title of the event: 2nd ECOMARIS International Meeting.
Participating researchers: Ricardo Haroun Tabraue, principal investigator at ECOMARIS and director of ECOAQUA, Yaiza Fernández-Palacios Vallejo, researcher with the BIOCON group at ECOAQUA and ECOMARIS coordinator; Candy Cecilia Ruano, member of the BIOCON group at ECOAQUA and of ECOMARIS; as well as researchers associated with the ECOMARIS project through its partners.
26/05/2026
A workshop organised by the Marine SABRES project, aimed primarily at those involved in research, management and conservation of the marine and coastal environment. The event focused on the status, conservation and restoration of seagrass habitats, addressing challenges, methodological approaches and findings associated with various research projects.
The workshop provided an opportunity to share case studies from different geographical areas, including the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Tuscan Archipelago (Mediterranean Sea) and Sweden. To this end, it featured the participation of research staff and representatives from the regional governments of Madeira and the Canary Islands, as well as from the University of Pisa, University College Cork and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The event took place on Tuesday 26 May 2026, from 09:00 to 14:30, in a hybrid format, at the facilities of the ULPGC Marine Science and Technology Park in Taliarte. The programme included an opening session of scientific talks, followed by a technical discussion between speakers and participants, aimed at exchanging knowledge, scientific experiences and approaches applied to the conservation and restoration of these marine ecosystems.
Date: 26 May 2026.
Venue: hybrid format
In-person:
ULPGC Marine Science and Technology Park (Taliarte)
Carretera de Taliarte s/n, Telde (Gran Canaria).
Online:
A Teams link has been provided for online participants.
Organised by: co-organised by the ECOAQUA Institute (ULPGC) and the University of Pisa (Italy), as part of the Marine SABRES project.
Participating research group: BIOCON.
In collaboration with: the Canary Islands Science and Technology Park Foundation of the ULPGC.
Title of the activity: Scientific workshop: “Conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows: challenges, approaches and outcomes.”
Participating researchers: Ricardo Haroun Tabraue (principal investigator of Marine SABRES and director of ECOAQUA), Fernando Tuya Cortés (director of BIOCON and expert on the workshop topic), Eduardo Infantes (member of BIOCON and expert on the workshop topic), Candy Cecilia Ruano and Jesús Padrón García (members of BIOCON and researchers with Marine SABRES).
01/06/2026-04/06/2026
The 20th National Aquaculture Congress, to be held from 1 to 4 June 2026 at the Afundación venue in Vigo, marks the return of this event to Galicia. According to the organisers, this marks a return “to the beginnings, where the National Aquaculture Congresses (CNA) first began; specifically, the first congress was held in O Grove in 1985, as an initiative of the Centre for Marine Research (Galician Regional Government). As Galicia is the leading autonomous community in marine aquaculture production in Spain, and where the aquaculture sector carries significant socio-economic weight, the SEA has chosen the city of Vigo as the venue to commemorate the 20th edition and the 40th anniversary of the first congress".
The organisers state that “aquaculture in Spain is a dynamic and innovative sector that is advancing towards efficient and sustainable production, and which has been providing safe and healthy food for years. To continue meeting current and future demand for aquatic products as a food source, scientific knowledge and innovation are crucial to addressing the challenges it faces. As in previous editions, the Congress will serve as a meeting point and a bridge between researchers, government and industry, to showcase the R&D&I being carried out in the sector, give it a boost and foster future collaborations that address these challenges."
Date: From Monday 1 June to Thursday.
Venue: Afundación Headquarters (Obra Social Abanca). Calle Policarpo Sanz, 24–26, Vigo (Pontevedra).
Organised by: Spanish Society of Aquaculture (SEA).
Participating research groups: GIA.
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.
Members
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Juan Manuel Afonso
PhD in Biological Sciences from the ULL in 1988. He is at present the head of the Aquaculture Research Group of the ECOAQUA University Institute. He has more than thirty scientific publications to his credit.
Academic position: Professor of the ULPGC specialising in Animal Production.
Corporate email:
juanmanuel.afonso@ulpgc.es
accedaCRIS profile
Google Scholar profile
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María Soledad Izquierdo López
Professor specialising in Zoology, whose work focuses on the nutrition of aquaculture species of commercial interest.
She is an Honorary Life Member of the World Aquaculture Society, the first Spanish woman to receive this award and the second woman to be recognised in its 50 years of history.
Academic position: Vice-Chancellor for Research and Transfer of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
marisol.izquierdo@ulpgc.es
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Daniel Montero Vítores
He is responsible for the GIAculture service, scientific coordinator of aquaculture facilities and coordinator of the doctorate program ACUISEMAR. His research focuses on nutrition and stress resistance in captive bred marine fish.
Academic position: Professor of Zoology-Aquaculture of the ULPGC
Corporate email:
daniel.montero@ulpgc.es
accedaCRIS profile
Google Scholar profile
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Félix Acosta Arbelo
PhD in veterinary, he is the coordinator of the Master's Degree in Animal Health and Aquaculture of the ULPGC. His numerous scientific publications related to Pathology in aquaculture, studies of the immune system in fish species of commercial interest and studies in marine biotoxins.
Academic position: Professor of Animal Health at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
felix.acosta@ulpgc.es
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Lidia E. Robaina Robaina
PhD in Marine sciences, has focused her research in the area of aquaculture knowledge and sustainable development. Her 80 R+D+i projects and her 100 scientific publications have made it possible for her to be recognised, since 2018, as one of the four most prestigious and internationally relevant researchers of the ULPGC.
Academic position: Professor specialising in Zoology of the ULPGC
Corporate email:
lidia.robaina@ulpgc.es
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María Jesús Zamorano
Veterinarian PhD, with experience in genetics, genomics and animal selection. She has published more than more than 45 articles scientific related to animal breeding and molecular tools useful in aquaculture production.
Academic position: Professor contracted by the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
mariajesus.zamorano@ulpgc.es
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Rafael Ginés Ruiz
Expert on the quality of aquaculture products, is the Service Manager of the University Institute ECOAQUA. He has more than 40 scientific publications related to sensory evaluation, nutritional value, food safety, freshness evolution along shelf life and consumer preferences.
Academic position: Professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Corporate email:
rafael.gines@ulpgc.es
accedaCRIS profile
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Pedro Luis Castro Alonso
PhD in Veterinary and expert in Cell Biology. His research revolves around the nutrition and cellular effects of various species reared in aquaculture.
Academic position: Professor at the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
pedro.castro@ulpgc.es
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Gercende Courtois de Viçose
PhD in Biology, with more than 20 year’s experience in aquaculture, marine biology and ecology. She has specialised on molluscs, invertebrates and algae production, as well as sustainable aquaculture techniques and Integrated Multitrophic aquaculture.
Academic position: Researcher contracted by University Institute ECOAQUA.
Corporate email:
gcourtois@fpct.ulpgc.es
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María del Pino Viera Toledo
PhD in Marine Sciences, with more than 25 year´s experience in aquaculture both in private sector and research activities. Specialised in the production of fish, molluscs, especially abalone, seaweed, as well as in sustainable aquaculture techniques and integrated multitrophic aquaculture.
Academic position: Researcher contracted by University Institute ECOAQUA.
Corporate email:
maria.viera@fpct.ulpgc.es
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Francisco Javier Roo Filgueira
He is senior scientist at Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovacion y Sociedad de la Información from the Canary Government, where he is responsible for its R&D&I projects.
This PhD is the coordinator of the Medregalgae project, and has experience managing and development R&D projects on Blue Growth and Circular Economy, in the field of marine aquaculture.
Academic position: Researcher associated.
Corporate email:
javier.roo@ulpgc.es
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Silvia Torrecillas Burriel
PhD in aquaculture by the ULPGC, specialist in Nutrition and Health of aquaculture species with more than 50 publications in this field. She has 15 years of experience in the area of functional additives, alternative raw materials and mucosal tissue health, coordinating transfer and research agreements with the private sector.
Academic position: Researcher contracted by University Institute ECOAQUA.
Corporate email:
silvia.torrecillas@ext.ulpgc.es
Google Scholar profile
ORCID profile
ResearchGate profile
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David Domínguez Montesdeoca
ULPGC Post-doc whose research focuses on the supplementation of micronutrients (especially minerals and vitamins) in feed for the main marine species produced in Europe.
Academic position: GIA Research Associate, currently working at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, Norway.
Corporate email:
david.dominguez@ulpgc.es
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Jimena Bravo García
Degree in Marine Sciences, PhD from the ULPGC. She has publications in the field of microbiology, immunology, and ecology. Ongoing research on dietary supplementation and immunostimulation in aquaculture and marine toxins.
Academic position: Researcher contracted by University Institute ECOAQUA.
Corporate email:
jimena.bravo@ulpgc.es
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Hyun Suk SHIN
PhD from the Korea Maritime and Ocean University specialising in quantitative genetics in aquaculture. Her research focuses on the molecular biology of fish and endocrinological mechanisms influenced by various environmental factors. She is technical head of the ECUANARIA international project.
Academic position: Researcher contracted by University Institute ECOAQUA.
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Samira Sarih
PhD from the ULPGC specialising in the reproduction and nutrition of aquaculture fish, with around thirty scientific publications.
Academic position: Researcher contracted by University Institute ECOAQUA.
Corporate email:
samira.sarih@ulpgc.es
accedaCRIS profile
Google Scholar profile
ORCID profile
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Álvaro Lorenzo Felipe
PhD from the ULPGC and degree in Biotechnology from the Pablo de Olavide University and specialised in aquaculture and bioinformatics after finishing the Master's Degree in Marine Cultures at the ULPGC. He currently works in the area of genetics and molecular biology at the GIA Group. The line of research on which his thesis focuses is the study of the genetic architecture of skeletal deformities in sea bream (Sparus aurata).
Academic position: Researcher of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
alvaro.lorenzo103@alu.ulpgc.es
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Raquel Quirós Pozo
Degree in Veterinary, with a Master's degree in Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Therapeutic Research and a Master's degree in Marine Cultures from the ULPGC. Her research focuses on the optimization of the cultivation of emerging species, mainly mugilids, with special emphasis on the improvement of acclimation, management, nutrition and reproduction protocols.
Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
raquel.quiros101@alu.ulpgc.es
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Sara Ramírez Bolaños
Researcher associated with the Islandap Advanced project, which works on the revaluation of alternative raw materials for aquaculture from the circular economy of the islands.
Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
sara.ramirez@ulpgc.es
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Cathaysa Pérez-García
Training researcher specialising in genetic improvement. She studies the use of microsatellite markers in Senegalese sole (Solea Senegalensis) and white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).
Academic position: : PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
cathaysa.perez108@alu.ulpgc.es
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Marina Martínez Soler
She is part of the research staff in training under contract at the University Institute ECOAQUA. Her line of research revolves around marine genetics and broodstock selection.
Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
marina.martinez@ulpgc.es
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Luis Monzón Atienza
Degree in Veterinary from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, continues doing his first year of doctoral thesis at the University Institute ECOAQUA in the doctoral program Acuicultura sostenible y ecosistemas marinos specialising on probiotics in aquaculture.
Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
luis.monzon@ulpgc.es
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Paula Sarmiento Mendoza
Degree in Marine Sciences, has a master in Aquaculture from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Her research focuses on sustainable nutrition and final product quality in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata).
Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
paula.sarmiento102@alu.ulpgc.es
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Antonio Gómez Mercader
Degree in Marine Sciences, has a master in Aquaculture from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. His professional career started at ECOAQUA in 2021 as a project technician and researcher. He currently has a pre-doctoral contract with the ULPGC in the PhD programme 'Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems'.
Academic position: PhD student of the ULPGC.
Corporate email:
antonio.gomez@ulpgc.es
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Christian Monzón RIvero
Graduated in Marine Sciences specialized in aquaculture through the Master’s Degree in Marine Cultures at the ULPGC, continues the doctoral program led by University Institute ECOAQUA in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems in 2022, specializing in the consolidation of Seriola (S. dumerili) farming in Spain through innovation in larval rearing and nutrition processes.
His employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2022 associated with the PLANASER 2.0 project. Now he develops his work at the pilot plant for the production of fry (Mesoscosmos).
Academic position: Predoctoral researcher / Project technician
Corporate email:
christian.monzon101@alu.ulpgc.es
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Isabel Florido Martel
Degree in Industrial Organisation Engineering from the ULPGC, she also has a master's degree in Environmental Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Her employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2021 associated with the Rebeca project. Now she is working at the Process Pilot Plant (FPCT).
Academic position: Researcher contracted as technical staff.
Corporate email:
isabel.martel@ulpgc.es
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Luis Molina Roque
Graduated in Marine Sciences, with a master's degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries, both from the University of Cadiz. In this city he worked as a technician in the PLANASER 2.0 project. He currently has a pre-doctoral contract at the ULPGC, linked to the project 'Marine and terrestrial by-products of food origin and high added value bioproducts as growth and health stimulants in sea bream larvae (LARVOOST)'.
Academic position: Pre-doctoral researcher/project technician.
Corporate email:
luis.molina@ulpgc.es
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Nuria Esther Marrero Sánchez
Degree in Marine Sciences from the ULPGC, she also has a Master's degree in Aquaculture from the same university. Her employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2021. Now she is working at the Haliotis and Mesocosmos facilities.
Academic position: Project technician.
Corporate email:
nuria.marrero@fpct.ulpgc.es
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Ignacio Martín Galán
Degree in Marine Sciences from the ULPGC, with a Master's degree in Aquaculture from the ULPGC and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies. His professional career with ECOAQUA begins in 2023, linked to the 'Final Product Quality' line of research.
Academic position: Project research technician.
Corporate email:
ignacio.martin@fpct.ulpgc.es
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Carmen Quintana
Higher technician in analysis and quality control from the IES Politécnico Las Palmas, her employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2001. Now she is working in the Biochemistry and Chromatography laboratory of the Aquaculture Research Group of the University Institute ECOAQUA.
Academic position: Coordinator of Biochemistry and Cromatography Laboratory.
Corporate email:
cquintana@proyinves.ulpgc.es
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Rubén Rodríguez Padrón
Higher technician in aquaculture from the IES Profesor Antonio Cabrera Pérez and Vocational education and training technician in aquaculture from the IES Casas Nuevas. His employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2002. Now he is working at the pilot plant for the production of fry (Mesoscosmos).
Academic position: Technician responsible for the pilot plant for the production of fingerlings.
Corporate email:
ruben.rodriguez@ulpgc.es
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Andrea Minguella Alfaro
Higher technician in anatomical pathology and cytology from the IES Sant Cugat del Vallès (el pinar de nuestra señora school),Her employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2012. Now she is working at SABE, Taliarte.
Academic position: Histology technician.
Corporate email:
andrea.minguella@ulpgc.es
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Rayco David Cruz Pérez
Higher technician in aquaculture from the IES Profesor Antonio Cabrera Perez, his employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2013. Now he is working at the Selection Station and MBS (Marine Biosecurity Station).
Academic position: Responsible of the Marine Biosecurity Station and MBS (Marine Biosecurity Station).
Corporate email:
d2jsporg@hotmail.es
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Nabil Oubramy Reyes
Higher technician in aquaculture from the the IES Profesor Antonio Cabrera Pérez, his employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins in 2013. Now he is working in the Selection, Breeding and Bioassay facilities, as well as in the culture building of the Aquaculture Research Group.
Academic position: Project technician, responsible for the Cultivation facilities.
Corporate email:
nabiloub@hotmail.com
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Nauzet Francisco Munguía Cabrera
Higher technician in Aquaculture Cultures by the IES Profesor Antonio Cabrera Pérez. His working relationship with the ECOAQUA University Institute began in 2023. He is currently working in the pilot fry production plant (mesocomos) and broodstock area.
Academic position: Technician of the pilot plant for the production of fry and broodstock.
Corporate email:
nauzet.munguia@fpct.ulpgc.es
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Antonio Luis Viera Toledo
Vocational education and training technician in aquaculture from the IES Casa Nuevas. Professional diver. Has 20 years of professional experience in aquaculture companies ,primarily in open sea facilities. His employment relationship with University Institute ECOAQUA begins began in 2020. Now he is working in the Haliotis and Mesocosmos facilities.
Academic position: Project technician.
Corporate email:
antonio.viera@fpct.ulpgc.es
