Advancing a Smarter and Greener Future for Mediterranean Fisheries

HYDRA Joins the DIGI-FISH Project: Advancing a Smarter and Greener Future for Mediterranean Fisheries

HYDRA NGO Fishery and Aquaculture Research Centre is proud to be part of DIGI-FISH – Digital & Green Integration for Intelligent, Sustainable Mediterranean Fisheries & Aquaculture, a European project dedicated to accelerating the digital and energy transition of fisheries and aquaculture across the Mediterranean.

The project brings together a strong international consortium of research institutions, technology developers, fishers’ associations, aquaculture operators, certification bodies, and policy experts from across Europe. Together, the partners aim to support a more sustainable, efficient, and climate-conscious seafood sector.

DIGI-FISH responds to one of the most urgent challenges facing Mediterranean fisheries today: the need to reduce fuel consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, improve operational efficiency, and support the sector with practical digital tools. Through real-life pilot demonstrations, data-driven technologies, smart monitoring systems, AI-supported decision-making, and targeted capacity building, the project will help create scalable models for the future of fisheries and aquaculture.

As part of the consortium, HYDRA represents Albania within the project and contributes through its role as a research Centre. HYDRA will support access to the Albanian demonstration vessel, contributing to the testing and validation of innovative solutions under real Mediterranean fishing conditions.

A key part of the DIGI-FISH project is the development of a digital toolbox and a collaborative platform that will help fishers, aquaculture operators, researchers, and public authorities make better-informed decisions. These tools will support smart routing, energy management, low-impact fishing gear, monitoring of emissions, and improved use of data across the sector.

For HYDRA, participation in DIGI-FISH is an important step toward strengthening Albania’s role in sustainable marine innovation. The project creates an opportunity to connect local fishing knowledge with advanced European research and technology, bringing new value to communities that depend on the sea.

Through DIGI-FISH, HYDRA will contribute to a shared Mediterranean vision: a fisheries and aquaculture sector that is cleaner, more resilient, more digital, and better prepared for the future.