INNOAQUA continues to drive innovation in sustainable aquaculture with significant progress at DEMO Site #2 in Portugal, bringing the project closer to the large-scale validation of integrated, circular production systems.
Designed as a SMART-IMTA (System for Monitoring and Adaptation in Real Time for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) platform, this demonstration site combines land-based aquaculture with macroalgae cultivation within a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). By integrating biological processes with advanced digital technologies, DEMO #2 showcases how aquaculture can evolve toward more efficient, resilient, and environmentally responsible production models.
Reaching Operational Maturity
DEMO #2 is now entering full operation. Portuguese partners SEA Eight and A4F – Algae for Future are leading the deployment, with 95% of the equipment already in place, bringing the system close to full readiness under real-world conditions.
At this stage, the cultivation area is now fully in use, marking a key step in the system’s transition to large-scale functioning. The successful growth of consortium-selected strains of Ulva sp. and Gracilaria sp. across the cultivation area marks a major milestone for the project, demonstrating the robustness of the system and its readiness for the next phases of integration. In parallel, the digital monitoring and control platform developed by INESC TEC is being integrated, enabling real-time management of key production parameters.
Advancing Integrated Aquaculture Systems
Beyond its current technical progress, DEMO #2 highlights the potential of integrated RAS-IMTA systems to combine efficient production with resource optimisation. By coupling macroalgae cultivation within an integrated system, DEMO #2 will support nutrient reuse, natural water treatment, and improved operational efficiency, contributing to reduced environmental impact while opening new opportunities for value creation. As macroalgae already thrive across the cultivation system, the site is entering a decisive transition phase, where the next steps will further advance the integration of system components and unlock the full potential of the SMART-IMTA approach. By combining biological innovation, digital technologies, and circular resource management, INNOAQUA is paving the way toward a new generation of aquaculture systems, more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with the challenges of the future.
