INNOAQUA took centre stage at Aquaconnect: Innovating Aquaculture through Circularity, Biomass, and Biotechnology, a key European event held on 14 October 2025. Organised by the Aqua Connect cluster, this three-hour online event brought together six leading Horizon Europe projects (INNOAQUA, LOCALITY, IGNITION, Cure4Aqua, EUAqua, and GRINNAQUA) to explore cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of sustainable aquaculture.
The event gathered researchers, industry stakeholders, and innovators to exchange knowledge on circular systems, biomass utilisation, digitalisation, fish health, and next-generation aquaculture technologies. INNOAQUA played a significant role both in organising the event and presenting new advances from its research and demonstration sites.
INNOAQUA Contributions and Highlights
The event opened with introductory pitches from each participating project. INNOAQUA’s Project Manager, Xavier Ponte, presented the project’s mission to advance sustainable, land-based aquaculture through algae-based foods, circular resource management, and digital innovation. He highlighted the project’s demonstration sites in Norway and Portugal, showcasing integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems, closed nutrient loops, and the development of new seafood products derived from algae and fish byproducts.
Throughout the thematic sessions, INNOAQUA partners demonstrated the project’s strong technical contributions to the field:
Rui Pereira (A4F / INNOAQUA) presented INNOAQUA’s Portuguese demo site, focusing on land-based IMTA and the integration of sole and macroalgae. He highlighted smart monitoring and real-time data systems enabling efficient, circular aquaculture production.
Derek Latil (Algemy / INNOAQUA) showcased INNOAQUA’s work on microalgae-based ingredients for innovative food applications, emphasising their nutritional benefits, environmental advantages, and the project’s cascade extraction approach for developing next-generation seafood products and packaging.
Sandra Balsells (LEITAT / INNOAQUA) presented a pioneering study on transforming non-compliant surimi waste into high-value protein hydrolysates, demonstrating INNOAQUA’s commitment to valorising aquaculture byproducts and supporting a circular bioeconomy.
Cross-Project Insights and Collaboration
Aquaconnect featured expert contributions from across the six participating projects, including advances in:
- Algae-based value chains and circularity (LOCALITY)
- Immunomodulatory bioactives and disease resistance (IGNITION, GRINNAQUA)
- Phage therapy, diagnostic innovations, and nano-encapsulated antimicrobial peptides (Cure4Aqua)
- Breeding strategies and host–pathogen interactions via single-cell sequencing (IGNITION)
- Organic aquaculture efficiency and consumer awareness (EUAqua)
These sessions underscored the diversity of scientific innovation currently driving the European aquaculture sector.
INNOAQUA was proud to contribute to this important initiative and remains committed to advancing innovative, sustainable, and circular aquaculture solutions across Europe.
