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-POND is a versatile, large-scale outdoor earthen pond system designed for experimental purposes in semi-industrial conditions. The facility includes a range of pond sizes: 9 ponds of 3.500 m², 15 ponds of 1.700 m², and eight ponds of 500 m². In the largest ponds, we can offer the installation of cages in a variety of dimensions: 17 x 4 m, 42 x 4 m, 23 x 9 m, and 6 x 18 m. This flexible setup is ideal for researching a wide range of species, age classes, and study areas. Upon request, we can also provide broodstock for specific pond-based experiments, ensuring researchers have access to everything they need for successful trials.

MATE POND is suitable for a wide range of outdoor experiments, including the applicability of feed additives; nutrient dynamics in pond ecosystems; integrated fish production systems (in-pond-cage and in-pond-tank systems); and nutrient remediation trials in wetlands.

Bioresources available

In the MATE POND facility, applicants will be able to select from fish species that are typical of our national aquaculture industry. More precisely, they will be able to select work with different lines of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), tench (Tinca tinca), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus), American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), European catfish (Silurus glanis) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

The age for trials is supposed to be chosen from larval to juvenile and growing-out stages. On special request, breeders of Perciformes and cyprinids could be provided.

Support offered

Supporting staff in MATE POND installation is skilled in the technological solutions for propagation and rearing in almost all freshwater aquaculture species, offering a wide range of trials on larvae and juveniles in various fields (genetics, welfare, nutrition).

We offer help in pond preparation (manuring, disinfection, filling, water quality management) and operation services (daily feeding, weekly water quality monitoring, biweekly sampling harvest, water level management, etc.).

During the visit, the applicant will be provided with an office.

Modality of access

Potential users of MATE POND services are advised to communicate with us at least five months in advance before the desired date for the start of the outdoor trial. The Modality of access is based on unit costs. One unit of access includes pond use (1 ha area of pond for one week or 0.5 ha for two weeks, etc.), consumables for pond preparation/maintenance, and water quality monitoring. The typical duration of work in this facility is three months or one rearing season