Resources pilot centre for cross-border preservation of the aquatic biodiversity

1. Resources pilot centre for cross-border preservation of the aquatic biodiversity of Prut River Maria SAVA Head of DepartmentProject Management & Structural Funds"Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University

2. Funding programme The Joint Operational Programme Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova 2007-2013 Priority 2. Environmental challenges and emergency preparedness Measure: 2.1: Addressing strategic cross-border environmental challenges including emergency preparedness

3. Main goals of the RO-Ua-Md Pogramme To provide the framework for the implementation of cross border activities in the context of the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI) with the aim to prevent the emergence of new dividing lines between EU and its neighbours and to offer the partner countries the opportunity to participate in various EU activities, through greater political, security, economic and cultural co-operation. To improve the economic, social and environmental situation in the programme area, in the context of safe and secure borders, through increased contact of partners on both sides of the border.

4. Main goal of the priority/measure Management of biodiversity in the border area; Monitoring of fish-aquacultural resources; Management of aquatic resources during difficult climatic situations; Preparation of joint action plans for the sustainable management of the cross border protected areas, including actions for increasing the institutional capacity of the local key decision factors in order to improve the access to funding and implementation of joint cross border actions; Bringing together professionals drawing up and implementing emergency plans for a wide variety of activities, e.g. floods, drought, severe weather or major incidents of severe pollution;

5. Project description Title: Resources pilot centre for cross-border preservation of the aquatic biodiversity of Prut River Applicant: The “AlexandruIoanCuza” University from Iasi Partner: The Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Institute of Zoology Associate no. 1 National Administration “Romanian Waters” Prut Directorate Associate no.2 Environmental Protection Agency Iasi County Associate no.3 The Inspectorate for Ecology of the Republic of Moldova

6. Main goal of the project • To jointly develop the scientific, human and logistic resources, aiming at monitoring, restoring and improving the Prut River aquatic resources during difficult climatic conditions and/or threatening anthropogenic actions

8. Budget

9. Results of GA1: Project management, coordination and communication activities • A cohesive team formed by 44 persons (technical and administrative staff) regularly employed an 9 volunteers • Endorsed responsibilities and tasks • Clear procedures for monitoring and reporting project’s activities • Common project management language (Euro English) • 5 Progress reports: narrative, procurement report, communication and visibility, financial report • 1 Intermediary report (18 months)

10. Results of GA2: Public procurement Procurement contracts, invoices etc for: • Feasibility Study, Technical Documentation, Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment • Equipment and supplies • Construction works • Communication and visibility actions • Audit services

11. Equipment and supplies (RO) • Transport means: crew van, 8+1, 4X4; pick up truck, double cab, 4X4 • Instruments and tools for scientific fishing: motorboat, nets, electro fisher, work and safety clothes, camping facilities • Laboratory equipment for research: • High performance massive parallel computing and storage system • Wilovert AFL 40 Phako • Atomic absorption spectroscopy system • Microscope system for image capture • Stereomicroscope with 15x basic zoom for image capture  • Others

12. Equipment and supplies (MD) • Transport means: Auto vehicle for site investigation for 9 persons • Laboratory equipment for research • Spectrophotometer • System for purification of acid BERGHOF DISTILATION SYSTEM BSB-939-IR • Microscope Optimus • Microscope MELITECHNO MT6300H • Laboratory centrifuge  • Other

13. Results of GA3: Cross-border institutional capacity • Journals, books and database/software related to biodiversity and limnology; 8 scientific books focused on environment, aquaculture, fresh waters and marine ecosystems etc. • Start of the construction works for for rehabilitating the hall for fish breeding and reproduction of the Ezareni Station for Research in Aquaculture and Aquatic Ecology: • Methodology for monitoring fish population structure • Remains to be realised: • Action Plan for developing joint research and education projects (within national and/or EU programs) related to self-sustained aquaculture

14. Results of GA4: Prut River investigation • 5 Written Prut investigation report on: 1. structural and functional characteristics of phyto- and zooplankton, zoobenthos and ichthyofauna 2. hydrochemical characteristics 3. the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors 4. water quality 5. evaluation of the fish reproduction capability 6. ecological indices of fish population • Remains to be realised • Abiotic factors’ influence upon aquatic organisms’ communities. Evaluation of the natural and anthropogenic threats upon the fish reproduction capability. • Assessment of the aquatic organisms’ role in the chemical migration process, aiming at the evaluation of river’s aquatic resources quality. • Identification of threatened species according with the Council Directive 92/43/EECon the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and the Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament • Risk assessment report for the integrity of the ecosystem • Action Emergency plan for restoring the natural ecosystem of Prut river

15. Results of GA5: Information, awareness and dissemination • 10 press releases (10 /event/partner organisation) • 20 advertising insertions at every 4 months (4/period/partner organization) in the print media • 20 announcements in audio media at every 4 months (4/period/partner) • Advertising and promotional materials • 1 scientific symposiumorganized by “Al. I. Cuza” University; at least 4 scientific presentations/ seminar will valorise the Prut investigation results • The Zoologists Conference organized by Chisinau Institute of Zoology: • The conference volume • 1 exhibition organized by “Al. I. Cuza” University regarding the species living in Prut River • 1 roundtable • Project website www.uaic.prutriver.ro

16. Project sustainability (1) • Collaborative research projects within|: • HORIZON 2020 • European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 • Central European Initiative • Bilateral accords Ro-MD • Other

17. Project sustainability (2) • Continuous training for entrepreneurs in the field of fish farming • Master programme in aquaculture (fall 2014) • Access to |Ezareni infrastructure for researchers and students (free /against payment)

18. Reasonable men adapt themselves to their environment; unreasonable men try to adapt their environment to themselves. Thus all progress is the result of the efforts of unreasonable men. George Bernard Shaw