News

Training Course: Using modelling as a tool for experimental design

AQUAEXCEL3.0 project, funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, is organizing the training course Using modelling as a tool for experimental design.

The course will take place online, on March 12th, during 9:00 – 14:30 (CEST) and aims to train participants (aquaculture researchers, students in aquaculture) in the use of numerical models as efficient tools for designing research experiments, gaining a good understanding of the interaction between biological and physical factors within aquaculture research, including growth, nutrition, waste production, water quality, water treatment and hydrodynamic flow fields.

The deadline for registration is March 11th, 9:00 (CEST). Course attendance is free.

More information and registration link are available at: https://aquaexcel.eu/training-courses/training-course-2-using-modelling-as-a-tool-for-experimental-design/

Turkish Aquaculture Sector Growth

Türkiye has approximately 530 fish species in its seas and around 380 fish species in inland waters. More than 100 species are economically exploited in marine and inland waters. In 2022, 850,000 tonnes of aquatic products were produced in Türkiye, of which production from capture fisheries was 335,000 tons (39.4%), and from aquaculture was 515,000 tonnes. Due to increasing population and growing interest in healthy nutrition, demand for aquatic products is increasing in Türkiye as well as in the world. Capture fisheries production is unlikely to grow in the future as most commercially important fish stocks are fully exploited, so greater demand must be met from the aquaculture sector.

Policies governing the sector are designed to foster fish and seafood cultivation by creating a stable legal framework and defining management measures. These studies together with new technological opportunities have led to an increase in aquaculture production and in exports owing to developments in production, processing, and preservation techniques. Production volumes, domestic, and export sales continue to develop promisingly, so the contribution of aquatic products to the country‘s economy is expected to continue to increase every year. Türkiye‘s aquaculture exports, which were 178 thousand tonnes and 1 million dollars five years ago, increased to 251 thousand tonnes and 1.65 billion dollars in 2022 and were sent to more than 100 countries despite the negative effects of the pandemic. The volume and value of exports are expected to exceed these figures in 2023. In contrast, the import of aquatic products in 2022 amounted to 115 thousand tonnes valued at 313 million dollars.

­Türkiye is the world’s top producer of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and sea bream (Sparus aurata) and the second largest producer of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). It is Europe’s largest producer of all three species. In 2022, trout production was 191 thousand tonnes, sea bass production 157 thousand tonnes, and sea bream production 152 thousand tonnes. Türkiye is the world’s second largest exporter of seabass and seabream most of which is destined for EU countries.

More information available at: https://eurofish.dk/the-turkish-aquaculture-sector-has-seen-impressive-growth/

Fish Species Profiles

The European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) provides main market information and data along the supply chain on the most important species for the EU market.

There are available 20 profiles which include species descriptions and other qualitative information, updated data on fisheries and aquaculture production, trade, consumption as well as prices throughout the supply chain.

The Species profiles are available at the link below:

https://eumofa.eu/the-eu-market#speciesProfiles

Good Practice: INVE Aquaculture

With local offices and field teams in 27 different countries and over 500 employees, INVE Aquaculture specializes in providing state-of-the-art solutions in three main domains that are essential to aquaculture production: optimization of animal nutrition, careful management of animal health and rigorous control of the culture environment.

Find out more at https://www.inveaquaculture.com/

ALGAEFARM 2024

The third edition of AlgaeFarm, event dedicated to algaculture, will take place in Pordenone, Italy, during 20 – 21 March 2024.

The event offers the opportunity to meet the best professionals engaged in sectors such as that of the production of algae in aquaculture or in greenhouses. Apart from the exhibition space dedicated to algaculture, the event will also feature conferences and debates dedicated to algae and microalgae.

AlgaeFarm 2024 will be co-located with the fifth edition of NovelFarm, international conference and trade show on agritech innovations, soilless and vertical farming.

For further details and registration, please access the link below:

AlgaeFarm – English version – NovelFarm Pordenone (novelfarmexpo.it)

Fish Forum 2024

The GFCM Forum on Fisheries Science in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (Fish Forum), event which aims to promote discussions and cooperation among scientists and policymakers towards producing scientific advice and encompasses oceanographic, social science and economic perspectives on fisheries research, takes place during 19-23 February 2024 in Antalya, Türkiye.

The event consists of plenary sessions and thematic sessions and unites scientists, fishers, stakeholders, researchers, engineers, academics, practitioners, managers and decision-makers from international organizations, administrations, institutions and universities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, aiming to ensure sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Find out more about the event at: https://www.fao.org/gfcm/fishforum2024/en/

Practical Short Course: Trends and Markets in Aquaculture Feed Ingredients, Nutrition, Formulation and Optimized Feed Production and Quality Management

A practical course on Trends and Markets in Aquaculture Feed Ingredients, Nutrition, Formulation and Optimized Feed Production and Quality Management will take place during 8 & 9 April 2024 at Novotel Gent Centrum, Ghent, Belgium as well as on Zoom.

An optional shrimp farm visit and training is also available on 10 April 2024.

The course is dedicated to decision makers such as technicians, equipment manufacturers, product formulators, plant engineers, processors, chemists and sales and marketing specialists.

For registration and more information regarding the course, please access the link below:

http://www.smartshortcourses.com/aquafeed22/index.html

Circular and lower impact mussel and seaweed aquaculture by a shift towards bio-based ropes

The study “Circular and lower impact mussel and seaweed aquaculture by a shift towards bio-based ropes“, funded through the EU’s EASME with EMFF funds of BlueEconomy-2018 (BIOGEARS project), defines the value chain of biogears as more sustainable gears for mussel and seaweed aquaculture, and sustainability issues covering technology, environmental impacts, economy-market, policy, and social drivers for their potential implementation.  

You can find the study at the following link:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/raq.12816

Good Practice: Bangs Island Farm in Casco Bay, Maine, USA

Bangs Island Mussels is a climate-positive family sea farm, cultivating mussels and kelp

Energy Transition Partnership Workshop on Innovation and Research

The Energy Transition Partnership will host a workshop for stakeholders on 28 February, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on innovation and technology.

The workshop, which will take place as a hybrid event, aims to:

1. Map the current available innovation and technology opportunities for the energy transition.
2. Explore and identify current innovation and technological gaps and possible solutions in areas of research towards the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
3. Explore and identify how we can collaborate and make use of synergies to advance innovation and research in the energy transition in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

In order to attend the event, in person or remotely, register at the link below:

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/WorkshopEnergyTransitionPartnership