001 / The challenge

From innovation to market reality.

Sustainable fisheries need technology that improves the catch and protects the ecosystem at the same time. Smart Vrša is MARBLE's answer. A smart fishing trap built around sensing, selectivity, and operational data, designed for the global fisheries market.

The gap is the distance between an innovative prototype and a market-ready product. Closing that gap requires both technical refinement and the commercial work to bring a radical innovation into operational use.

002 / The approach

Applied R&D plus market preparation.

The project advances Smart Vrša from prototype to market-ready product through focused applied research and development. The work covers technical refinement of the trap design alongside the validation, partner engagement, and commercial activities required to bring next-generation trap technology into operational fisheries use.

003 / Outcomes

What Smart Vrša is building toward.

Market readiness for Smart Vrša as a fisheries-sector product. A refined prototype, validated against fisheries-sector requirements, with a clear pathway to commercial launch.

Target beneficiaries: stakeholders across the fisheries sector who gain access to next-generation trap technology, MARBLE as the innovation owner, and the project team developing the commercial pathway.

004 / Partners & funding

Partners & funding.

Lead partner: Centre of Excellence MARBLE d.o.o. Lead Researcher: Prof. dr. sc. Nikola Mišković, with team member Martin Oreč.

Research & industry partner: DIH AgriFood Croatia (AFC), an aquaculture innovation hub supporting the development and testing of sustainable marine-farming technologies.

Funding programme: National Recovery and Resilience Programme of the Republic of Croatia (NPOO), Proof of Concept stream. Programme ID: NPOO.C3.2.R3-I1.06.

This project has received funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Programme of the Republic of Croatia (NPOO).