On September 17, 2025, the official launch of the project “Mollusk Depuration in Ecuador for Food Security and Market Expansion” took place. This initiative is driven by the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) and Ghent University (UGent), with the support of the Technical University of Machala, the Technical University of Manabí, and the State University of Southern Manabí.
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The project, funded by VLIRUOS under the 2025 Short Initiatives framework, aims to contribute to the strengthening of food security and the expansion of market opportunities for the mollusk sector in Ecuador.
During the meeting, the importance of creating synergies between technical institutions, non-governmental organizations, educational entities, government agencies, and the gastronomic sector was highlighted, promoting a coordinated effort with the shellfish associations of Puerto Jelí, Hualtaco, and Isla Puná.
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The project is coordinated by Félix Morales, PhD, and Rafaella Dueñas, MSc, who highlighted that this initiative represents a key step toward guaranteeing safer and more sustainable processes within the country's mollusk production chain.
