Services

The Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) comprises six departments and the Research Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture (HAKI). Aquaculture-related R&D activities in the institute are centering around the following topics:

• The development of innovative fish farming and reproduction technologies for species of commercial interest.

• Development of aquafeed recipes for freshwater species based on locally produced protein ingredients.

• Mapping the genetics and reproductive biology of existing and new commercial fishes using -omic techniques.

The Institute has an extensive educational portfolio across the entire range of higher education training (BSc, MSc, and PhD). It is active in professional adult education (specialized in-service training).

MATE NUTRI is a RAS installation for nutritional investigations that consists of i) a RAS with 30 × 250L tanks and ii) a larvae-rearing RAS with 6 × 260L cylindro-conical tanks and 9 × 120L raceways; suitable for both cool and warm water species. Labs for chemical analysis of feed and fish (proximate composition, fatty acid, amino acid) are available. The production of experimental scale extruded feed 25-30 kg/batch is possible with a single screw extruder (Abrazive, Hungary). MATE NUTRI is specialised in feeding trials and is suitable for benchmarking experiments and comparative testing of additives in feed recipes.

MATE NUTRI is specialised on feeding trials, suitable for benchmarking experiments, comparative testing of additives in feed recipes. Scientific staff can provide support in the development of new feeds, novel feed additives and the analysis of their effects (i.e. physiological, economic, consumer reception).

Bioresources available

The system is adequate for warm water species, including common carp (Cyprinus carpio), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which are available species.

Support offered

Scientific staff can provide support in the development of new feeds, novel feed additives, and the analysis of their effects (i.e., physiological, economic, and consumer reception). MATE NUTRI offers daily maintenance of the trial, monitoring, and data collection.

Modality of access

Potential users are advised to communicate with us at least six months before the planned trial initiation so we can offer our assistance and integrate the plan into our agenda. Likewise, the applicants are advised to consider the potential seasonality of requested bioresources (larva, fry).

The Modality of access is based on unit costs. One unit of access includes tank use (1 system for one week), consumables, and water quality monitoring. Partial access to 18-tank juvenile and 27-tank complex systems is possible if TA needs are harmonised with overlapping trials.