News, activities
NEXRUR project first in-person meeting in Burgos, Spain
Experts of HUNATiP attended the first in-person meeting of the NEXRUR project’s CLBM Innovation Network in Burgos, Spain, from April 15 to 17, 2026. Over the course of the three-day workshop, diverse perspectives converged to strengthen collaboration, discuss current challenges, and jointly develop practical solutions for fostering more flexible and resilient rural areas.
HUNATIP is managing the EAS EPFC (European Percid Fish Culture) Working Group
HUNATiP signed an agreement with the Belgian organization Inagro, designating HUNATiP as the administrator of the website for the EAS EPFC (European Percid Fish Culture) working group. The Hungarian Research Center for Fisheries and Aquaculture HAKI of the University of Agriculture and Life sciences (MATE) will manage the working group’s professional program, particularly through the contributions of Dr. Uros Ljubobratovic of HAKI, MATE, who has been actively involved in EPFC programs since its establishment.
National conference "Paradigm shift in fishpond water management"
HUNATiP was co-organizer of the national conference titled “Paradigm Shift in Fishpond Water Management,” held on March 18, 2026, in Budapest, in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Economics (AKI) and the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organisation (MAHAL). The event aimed to initiate a comprehensive professional dialogue regarding current challenges in fishpond water management, opportunities for innovation, and pathways for the sector’s sustainable development. The event program and presentations can be viewed HERE. At the conclusion of the conference, a declaration titled “For the Development of Fishpond Water Management and the Promotion of Sustainable Water Use” was signed by the Managing Director of AKI, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture (AM), the President of MA-HAL, and the President of HUNATiP.
HUNATIP is the coordinator of the EU DANUBEAQUA project
The European Union and HUNATiP have signed the grant agreement for the DANUBEAQUA project. The project aims to demonstrate—within the aquaculture sectors of the Danube and Black Sea regions—how digital technologies and renewable energy sources can make fish production more energy-efficient, sustainable, and economically competitive.
HUNATiP is coordinating the project, sharing management responsibilities with the German firm Steinbeis Innovation GmbH. The 20-member international consortium includes organizations and businesses from Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Germany and FEAP. Although the project officially launches on September 1, 2026, the 20-member international consortium has already begun preparatory work to ensure a smooth start of the implementation.
HUNATiP is the publisher of the HUNGARIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE - SCIENCE
As of January 1, 2026, HUNATiP has taken over as the publisher of the online journal „Halászat-Tudomány” (Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Science), following the decision that the previous publisher, the Herman Ottó Institute would no longer be responsible for publishing agricultural journals. The online journal „Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Science” has been published since 2005 as the sister publication of the printed „Journal of Hungarian Fisheries and Aquaculture” published since 1899.
HUNATiP at the World Aquaculture India 2025 WAS conference
Dr. László Váradi, President of HUNATiP, attended the World Aquaculture India 2025 WAS conference held in Hyderabad, India, from November 11 to 13, 2025. He was invited by the organisers to chair the “Freshwater Aquaculture” session. He also delivered a presentation with the title “Sustainable Aquaculture Business Models: NEXRUR Case Studies in Hungary.” That can be viewed HERE. Participation in the conference provided an opportunity to strengthen HUNATiP’s international connections, specifically with senior representatives from the “FutureFish” organization, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management Program (AARM), and the Indian innovation-support organization MANAGE – FISHub.
One of the highlights of the 2025 Scientific Conference on Fisheries & Aquaculture of HAKI was the Innovation Forum organized by HUNATiP.
The moderator, Béla Urbányi PhD, emphasized that consultations and professional dialogues are essential for a unified interpretation of innovation tasks and the development of joint programs and collaborations, with particular regard to the opportunities offered by the MAHOP Plus program. This was the purpose of the Innovation Forum organized by HUNATiP, that consisted of experts playing an important role in innovation in fish farming. They answered questions related to innovation in the sector, after which the forum participants were also able to share their comments and suggestions. The moderator introduced the panel members: Szabolcs Szigeti, Deputy State Secretary for the Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy, Ministry of Agriculture; Emese Békefi PhD, Deputy Head of Research Center for Fisheries and Aquaculture, MATE AKI; Tamás Bardócz, CEO, Ecovision Kft.; Gábor Réczey PhD, Head of Secretariat, Deputy State Secretariat for Agricultural Markets; László Váradi PhD, President, HUNATiP; István Szűcs PhD, Director, Faculty of Economics, Institute of Economics, University of Debrecen.
The Hungarian Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (HUNATiP) and the Institute of Agricultural Economics (AKI) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
The document was signed by Katalin Rácz PhD, Deputy Director of AKI, and László Váradi PhD, President of HUNATiP, in the AKI conference room in Budapest on March 21, 2025, prior to the aquaculture innovation workshop jointly organized by HUNATiP and AKI. The objective of the cooperation is for the cooperating parties to mutually assist each other in the innovative development of the Hungarian fish farming and aquaculture. On the one hand by increasing the quantity and quality of Hungarian products in fish supply, and on the other hand, to increase the profitability, competitiveness, resilience, adaptability, and social recognition of the sector.
Innovation Workshop: "Challenges and opportunities in innovation in the Hungarian fish farming"
The Institute of Agricultural Economics (AKI) and the Hungarian Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (HUNATiP) organized a workshop entitled “Challenges and opportunities in innovation in the Hungarian fish farming” on March 21, 2025, with the aim of analyzing the current situation of Hungarian fisheries and aquaculture and presenting innovative development opportunities. The program could also be followed online by interested people.
On 14 October 2024 the Hungarian Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (HUNATiP), under the auspices of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, organized a workshop on the future of aquaculture in the EU.
President of HUNATiP, László Váradi was honoured by EAS with Honorary Life Membership
At the opening ceremony of the Aquaculture Europe 2023 (AE2023) event in Vienna, Austria, the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) gave its highest award, the Honorar y Life Membership, to László Varadi, who has dedicated his life and professional career to the recognition and development of freshwater aquaculture in central and eastern Europe.
Aquaculture Europe 2023, 18-21 September 2023. Vienna, Austria
This year’s EAS conference took place in Vienna from 18-21 September 2023. The event was co-organised by Hungary, with Dr. László Váradi, president of the HUNATiP, as chairman of the organising committee, and several colleagues represented Hungary in the organising and professional committees. The HUNATiP organised the Hungarian booth for the trade exhibition held in the framework of the conference and, together with the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organisation (MA-HAL), prepared an English-language booklet on the values of Hungarian aquaculture.
EATiP MiP meeting 9th of March, 2023
HUNATiP representation in the Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism (AAM) programme in February 2023
The President of HUNATiP has been invited to participate as an expert in the AAM Expert Panel representing the European freshwater aquaculture sector.
5th May 2022
HUNATiP plays an active role in the organisation of the EAS Aquaculture Europe 2023 conference in Vienna. HUNATiP’s five experts will work with the EAS partners organising the conference in face-to-face and online meetings, and will work to ensure active Hungarian participation from both researchers and entrepreneurs. HUNATiP experts attended the first meeting of the conference organising committee in Vienna on 5 May 2023.
EATiP MiP online meeting 29th April 2022
FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE Webinar 26th of May 2021
The European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP) jointly with the Hungarian Mirror Platform (HUNATiP) organized an international online forum on freshwater aquaculture that was attended by about 100 participants.
The two introductory and four thematic presentations were the followings:
Introductory presentations:
Thematic presentations:
HUNATiP participation in the Seafood Tomorrow online Workshop (23 April 2021)
In the program of the Seafood Tomorrow Project Workshop that was organised by Campden BRI Hungary Nonprofit Ltd, the president of HUNATiP was an invited speaker. The title of the presentation was „The innovative development of the Hungarian aquaculture”.
HUNATiP is on facebook since 1st of April 2021
HUNATiP online meeting on 16th of March 2021.
Main issues of the meeting were the followings: (1) General information by the Secretariate; (2) Organisation of the EATiP Freshwater Aquaculture Webinar; (3) Participation in HORIZON Europe projects.
1st of January
HUNATiP commented on the Hungarian Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Operational Program (MAKOP) and the MAKOP Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
14th of July 2020
The Gyula Tribunal registered the Hungarian Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform Association, the founding member of which is ten experts active in the field of Hungarian aquaculture innovation representing HAKI, SZIE Department of Fisheries, University of Debrecen, NACEE, Ministry of Agriculture and AquaBiotech Ltd. The founding members hold their first inaugural meeting.