Tirana, Albania | November 25th, 2025
Albania Holds its Second T-Lab
On November 25, 2025, the second Transformative Laboratory (T-Lab 2) was held in Tirana within the framework of the 2B-BLUE project.
The activity brought together representatives from public institutions, such as the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture; academia, including representatives from the Agricultural University of Tirana; aquaculture industry representatives from SMEs; and civil society. Together, they discussed the progress of the project and the next steps to strengthen institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
A special focus was given to the development of the Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems, which are being piloted for the first time in Albania in the Bay of Vlora. IMTA is an innovative model that combines the cultivation of several marine organisms in the same system, taking advantage of the nutritional interactions among them. This pilot project aims to diversify aquaculture production and develop new markets. In this context, traditional aquaculture organisms such as bivalve mollusks are co-cultivated with other filter-feeding species (e.g., sea cucumbers).
This system also contributes to improving water quality by supporting the fulfillment of the criteria required for aquaculture farms to obtain with international sustainability certifications (e.g., ASC). During this activity, possibilities for expanding IMTA at the national level were addressed, such as the regulatory framework, financial support and commercial opportunities. The discussions highlighted that the current legal framework enables the integration of IMTA within existing aquaculture systems, but more efficient financing schemes are needed for its widespread implementation. The importance of support mechanisms for SMEs, through funds, grants and other incentives for the adoption of new technologies, was also highlighted.
The potential for the development of value-added bioproducts, such as algae extracts or bioactive compounds, which could create new market opportunities in the country and the region, was also discussed.
The IMTA pilot system remains active and data generation on the growth, performance and trophic interactions of cultivated organisms continues. The final results will be published at the end of the project and will support the potential transfer of the technology to other farms, contributing to the expansion of sustainable aquaculture chains in Albania.
Photos: ADF
