The INNOAQUA General Assembly was held on 27–28 May 2026 at INESC TEC in Porto, Portugal, bringing together project partners for two days of structured exchange, strategic reflection and collaborative learning. As a key coordination milestone, the General Assembly enabled the consortium to review progress, strengthen cross‑work package alignment and advance the project’s shared vision for sustainable, algae‑enabled aquaculture systems.
Reviewing Progress Across the Project
The General Assembly opened with a welcome and overview session, followed by a summary of Year 3 achievements. Partners reviewed progress against objectives, discussed key results and addressed deviations where relevant. Dedicated sessions were then held for several INNOAQUA Work Packages, allowing Work Package Leaders to present scientific, technical and operational advances and engage in open dialogue with the wider consortium.
Building on these discussions, the programme also included thematic breakout sessions addressing key crosscutting aspects of the project.
Sustainability, Safety and Regulation
The breakout session on Sustainability, Safety and Regulation, led by SUSTAINN, focused on sustainability and circularity KPIs, data collection and regulatory risk mitigation. Partners explored how to align INNOAQUA’s innovations with environmental performance, food safety and evolving regulatory frameworks, reinforcing the importance of integrating sustainability and compliance across the value chain.
Addressing Social Perspectives
Social dimensions were also addressed through a dedicated session led by NORCE. Discussions highlighted the importance of aligning innovation with societal expectations, stakeholder acceptance and broader impacts, reflecting INNOAQUA’s commitment to responsible research and innovation within the European Blue Bioeconomy.
Food Ingredients Prototypes: Experiencing Results First‑Hand
One of the most engaging moments of the General Assembly was the Food Ingredients breakout session, during which partners presented seafoodrelated prototypes developed within the project. This session went beyond traditional presentations, offering participants the opportunity to taste and try the prototypes firsthand. By directly experiencing the outcomes of the project’s research and innovation activities, partners exchanged feedback on product quality, functionality and application potential. This handson approach highlighted the tangible progress achieved within INNOAQUA and helped bridge the gap between research, development and realworld application.
Steering the Way Forward
The General Assembly concluded with a Project Steering Committee meeting, providing strategic oversight and consolidating key decisions for the next implementation phase. This final session ensured alignment at consortium level and confirmed priorities as the project moves towards impact and scale‑up.
The programme closed with a site visit to Pescanova facilities, offering partners the opportunity to connect project developments with real industrial applications and gain further insight into the operational context of seafood production.
Overall, the INNOAQUA General Assembly demonstrated the strength of its collaborative approach, combining scientific progress, sustainability governance and hands‑on innovation to advance sustainable aquaculture and algae‑based food systems in Europe.
