Acopian Center Works with Danish Consultants on Aquaculture
2 min readYEREVAN, Armenia – From October 13-18, experts from Danish company Dianova visited Armenia as consultants to the project, “Production methods to optimize economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors,” that is being implemented by the American University of Armenia (AUA)’s Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE).
This pilot project is part of a broader European Union funded SUAFRI-EPC initiative (Supporting the Uptake of Agri-Food Research Results into Innovation with Eastern Partnership Countries). The team of visiting experts consisted of Mogens Madsen, Dianova CEO, Eugenia Krasnopyorova, coordinator of the pilot project, Viggo Hørlyck, expert in trout production, and Carlos Octavio Letelier Gordo, expert in recirculation aquaculture systems and water quality.
During their time in Armenia, the experts visited the fish farms, which specialize in the production of trout, and participated in a research presentation by Dr. Karen Aghababyan, Chief Scientist of ACE, and Dr. Gurgen Khanamirian, Researcher. In addition, the visitors made a presentation alongside fish farmers and representatives from the Armenian Harvest Promoting Center about the production methods of rainbow trout and about water recirculation systems.
The visit allowed for further identification of appropriate research directions for focusing efforts on improving the aquaculture sector in Armenia and increasing its environmental sustainability.
The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment (AUA ACE) is a research center of the American University of Armenia. AUA ACE promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. AUA ACE’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity and conservation, greening the built environment, clean energy and energy efficiency, as well as information technology and the environment.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.
Dr. Karen Aghababian and Danish experts at a fish farm in Gyumri
Dr. Karen Aghababian with Danish experts at Lake Sevan