The Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters (FFPW) and the South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses (CENAKVA) at the University of South Bohemia (USB) in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, represent a prominent research and education institution specializing in high-quality basic and applied research. The faculty is dedicated to educating Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree students in the fields of fishery, water protection, and aquatic ecosystems. FFPW is renowned as one of the most active and well-equipped faculties in the Czech Republic, often recognized as the best in the country.
Currently, FFPW offers a Bachelor’s degree programs in "Fishery" and "Protection of Waters" (available only in Czech), a Master’s degree program in "Fishery and Protection of Waters" (taught in Czech and English), and Ph.D. degree programs in "Fishery" and "Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems" (offered in Czech and English). The programs are led by highly qualified, internationally recognized experts with extensive experience in teaching, publishing scientific articles, and engaging in project activities. For more details about the study programs, please visit: https://www.frov.jcu.cz/en/admissions/admission-procedures .
FFPW’s laboratories cover a wide range of research areas, including fish reproduction, genetics, nutrition, germ cell biology, crayfish, aquatic invasive species, freshwater ecosystems, hydrobiology, aquaculture, toxicology, environmental chemistry, biochemistry, data management, and experiment design. These labs offer opportunities for short-term internships through the ERASMUS+ program. Additionally, FFPW organizes an International Summer School in Vodňany and Nové Hrady, providing students with practical research experience alongside field visits to fish farms and tourist attractions in the South Bohemian region. For more details, please visit: https://www.frov.jcu.cz/en/international-relations/summer-schools .
Apart from its educational initiatives, FFPW hosting CENAKVA is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading research center in freshwater aquaculture, fisheries, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. Its research efforts are bolstered by funding from national (Ministries of Education/Agriculture/Environment) and international projects (such as HORIZONT 2020, HORIZONT EUROPE, Norway Grants, COST, INTERREG, JPI, and LIFE). The results are published in top-tier scientific journals and are applied in various businesses through patents, licenses, contracted research, technologies, and handbooks.
CENAKVA research infrastructure plays a crucial role in the coordinating research and international activities at FFPW. It adheres to the principle of open access infrastructure outlined in the Roadmap of the Czech Republic, aiming to firmly embed itself within European Research Infrastructure Consortiums (ERIC) in the fields of aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture.