From Sweden to the Canary Islands: exciting new research exchanges between SLU Aqua and ULPGC

In the April newsletter you could read about guest researcher Joana Reis Vasconcelos from ULPGC who visited the Institute of Coastal Research to work on the analysis of otolith shapes on cod. Later this year, Birgit Koehler and Patrik Kraufvelin from the Coastal Laboratory's Ecosystem Analysis Unit will do Erasmus+ mobility exchanges at ULPGC's ECOAQUA institute and in the Biodiversity and conservation group.

- I am looking forward to the exchange at IU-ECOAQUA. They are working on similar issues but with a focus on the marine area around the Canary Islands and Macaronesia regionally. Among other things, there is some development and research work on sustainable aquaculture in close cooperation with different regions in Africa, and also locally in Gran Canaria in the form of fish farming in combination with wind power. It will be valuable to get a closer look at these projects, and see the installations and infrastructure around these works. I think there can be nice synergies with ongoing projects at SLU Aqua, for example on sustainable aquatic food systems, and coexistence of wind power with other human activities in the sea, says Birgit Koehler.

- I am also very much looking forward to my research exchange. In particular, I will be working on marine restoration and how restoration measures can best be designed and implemented in different types of habitats. During the exchange period, both Birgit and I will work on our regular projects, but at the same time focus on interacting and collaborating with the host institution, participating in the activities there and further strengthening the new contacts between IU-ECOAQUA and SLU, says Patrik Kraufvelin.

Birgit and Patrik will also focus on how different forms of underwater construction and facilities can be designed and adapted for a positive reef effect, which will then be able to support the establishment of marine algae and animals and benefit marine biodiversity in general.

Read more about ULPGC's ECOAQUA Institute