On 18 September 2025, Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, visited KU and gave a clear assessment of the university’s maritime specialisation and concentrated expertise. She is responsible for EU maritime policy, sustainable fisheries, the blue economy, and ocean governance – all areas that align with KU’s research priorities. Meetings with KU leadership and researchers focused on how the university’s knowledge and locally collected data support decision-making for the Baltic Sea’s future, foster innovation, and help train specialists for the region’s economy.
Accompanying Ms Vitcheva was Raluca Ivanescu, Head of the Scientific Advice and Data Collection Unit at the European Commission, who coordinates the collection and use of EU fisheries and marine data for policymaking.
During the meeting, the guest emphasised that a strong university is vital for the vitality of a city. She highlighted the importance of reliable, locally collected marine data for future decision-making and noted that KU’s capacity to generate such data will remain crucial for the Baltic region. Vitcheva also presented the Commission’s plans in marine research and data policy and underlined that the forthcoming coastal and port policy guidelines will open new avenues for collaboration with the scientific community.
KU Rector Artūras Razbadauskas stressed that the university’s maritime focus is a consistently pursued mission:
“Our fleet and the research vessel Mintis enable us to gather unique local data, and our interdisciplinary teams transform this data into solutions – from environmental restoration to port digitalisation. We are ready to collaborate even more closely with European institutions and partners.”
Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Agriculture Arūnas Jagminas, responsible for the fisheries sector, emphasised during the meeting that decision-making based on the best available scientific advice is the cornerstone of marine resources and fisheries management. This principle is firmly enshrined in international, regional, and national documents and legislation.
“Lithuania consistently supports science-based policy, sustainable use of resources, and international cooperation. The ongoing ICES conference, the collaboration with Klaipeda University, and the Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory in Kopgalis are excellent examples of this,” the Vice-Minister said.
He also took the opportunity to draw attention to the most concerning issue – the situation in the Baltic Sea fisheries sector. Due to declining stocks, the continuous reduction of fishing opportunities, and increasingly restrictive operating conditions, the future of this sector is becoming increasingly uncertain.
“Lithuania is determined to preserve what remains of the Baltic Sea fisheries sector. Our common goal is to restore fish stocks so that the EU’s Baltic Sea fisheries sector can survive. Fishing intensity has been very low for some time, yet the reduction in fishing opportunities is not delivering the expected results. Therefore, decisions must ensure a balance between environmental, social, and economic objectives while also taking into account the geopolitical context in which we operate,” Jagminas stressed.
During the visit to KU, the guests toured the Coastal Environment and Biogeochemistry Laboratory, where Dr. Mindaugas Žilius and his team study coastal ecosystem processes, conduct surface water and wastewater analyses, and investigate micro-pollutants and biodiversity. At the Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory, Dr. Nerijus Nika presented shrimp farming infrastructure and developing technologies. Later, an informal discussion was held with students of the Marine Research Institute’s biology and marine biotechnology programmes about young researchers’ involvement in research groups, networking, and international opportunities.
