This research Facility has been established in 1940, in the north-east section of Isola San Domenico, starting from two state-owned two-storey buildings. In 1942, during the second world war, it has been granted for free and perpetual use to the University of Padua (specifically to the then Institute of Zoology, merged within the Biology Department in 1984), thanks to the perseverance and foresight of Prof. Umberto D’Ancona, who used to exploit it as a basis for carrying out pioneering studies on Venice Lagoon and the North Adriatic ecosystems, fish stocks target of commercial fishery, lagoon fish breeding and the reproductive biology of numerous species of bone fishes. Many other researchers followed on Prof. D’Ancona at the head of the Station, as Prof. Bruno Battaglia, Armando Sabbadin, Carlo Mozzi, Riccardo Brunetti. All these professors, together with various other Paduan colleagues, have been promoting, also during times of poor investment in research efforts, the development of studies focused on the knowledge of biology and ecology traits of both marine and lagoonal fishes, management and protection of fish fauna and domestication and farming techniques for new fish species.

Of the two buildings that make up the Station, the larger one (450 square meters) has always been used for research purposes, while the smaller one (250 square meters), once used as a residence for the guardian, is in use today as a guesthouse, which can comfortably host up to 10 people.

The Hydrobiological Station is integral part of the Biology Department of the University of Padua, and the Scientific Manager is Prof.ssa Laura Airoldi.

Link to the Hydrobiological Station website