EATIP Annual General Meeting 2026
This year, our EATIP AGM will be held in Brussels on the 28th & 29th of April 2026 at the Norwegian House of Research & Innovation.
Please see below the programme of the event:
European aquaculture organisations meet Commissioner Kadis, call for strong political leadership to restore production growth
The European Molluscs Producers’ Association (EMPA), the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), and the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATIP) met yesterday with European Commissioner Costas Kadis responsible for Fisheries and Oceans, including aquaculture, to jointly address the urgent challenges facing European aquaculture and to contribute to the EU’s Vision for Aquaculture towards 2040, including support for the sector within the upcoming Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy. Together, these organisations represent the entirety of the EU aquaculture sector.
Held in a small-committee format with the Presidents and Secretaries General of each organisation, the meeting focused on reversing the long-term decline of EU aquaculture, strengthening policy coherence, and defining clear priorities for competitiveness, spatial planning, research, and innovation. Read more
EATIP @ AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2025 in Valencia
Innovation Forum at Aquaculture Europe 2025
Wednesday PM, September 24, 2025 – Valencia, Spain. Gran Pinedo (Hotel Sercotel Sorolla Palace- Floor 2)
Implementing and Supporting Innovation in Aquaculture Through Knowledge Sharing
14:00 – 14:30 | Session 1: Welcome & Opening Remarks |
Moderator: David Bassett (EATiP)
Lorella de la Cruz Iglesias, European Commission, DG MARE
• EU policies, funding programmes and initiatives to support innovation in aquaculture.
Øyvind Hilmarsen, Norwegian Seafood Research Fund
• Driving Change in Aquaculture: How can we make research work in practice?
Q&A
14:30 – 15:30 | Session 2A: Knowledge Transfer fostering Aquaculture Innovation |
Moderator: Marc Vandeputte (INRAE / EAS), David Bassett (EATiP)
Julien Peris, European Commission, CINEA
• The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) as support for developing innovative projects.
Introducing the panel members
• Lorella de la Cruz, European Commission
• Øyvind Hilmarsen, Norwegian Seafood Research Fund
• Mery Pina, EMBRC
• Yolanda Molares, ACUIPLUS
• Sylvie Becaus, Marifish
• Damien Toner, BIM
Pitch Session: Research and Innovation Outputs with potentially high impact
THEMATIC AREA 1: MANAGING THE BIOLOGICAL LIFE CYCLE SUSTAINABLY
1. Fish Matter: A Smart Platform for Blue Bioeconomy Co-products Valorisation (João Reis, B2E Colab)
2. From Blue to Green: aquaculture sediment as a source of nutrients for the agriculture sector (Piotr Eljasik, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin)
3. Circular innovation to protect the sea (Loris Pietrelli, Sapienza University)
4. Adapting native oyster restoration to the scale of offshore energy development (Molly Hughes & Mieke Eggermont, UGent)
5. Origin significantly impacts reproductive capabilities of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) broodstock (Oleksandr Malinovskyi, University of South Bohemia) AE3.0
15:30 – 15:45 | Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:15 | Session 2B: Knowledge Transfer fostering Aquaculture Innovation / part II |
Moderators: Lorenzo Gennari (EMPA / EATiP) and Elisa Ravagnan (NORCE / EATiP)
THEMATIC AREA 2: SUSTAINABLE FEED PRODUCTION
1. Supplementation with metal-AA complexes contribute to more efficient and sustainable diets in RAS systems (Claudia Figueiredo Silva, Zinpro) AE3.0
2. Established benchmark for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) weaning with commercially available diets in Europe (Paul-Daniel Sindilariu, Nexttuna) AE3.0
3. Tailored microdiets for Atlantic cod lead to reduction in skeletal deformities (Luis Conceição, Sparos)
4. Novel fish feed oils (Stefan Teerlinck, Inagro)
5. Microbiome-assisted production of sustainable aquafeed compounds (Erik-Jan Malta, CTAQUA)
THEMATIC AREA 3: TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS
1. Use of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) echosounding to characterise fish growth and behaviour? (Thomas Culverhouse, Sonardyne) AE3.0
2. New methods for post processing biotelemetry data in aquaculture (Martin Føre, NTNU) AE3.0
3. Developing digitalised analytical solutions for aquaculture: quantification of Nitrogen-based compounds (Eva Gonzalez Fernández, Biolan)
4 Advanced Health Research for Shrimp Aquaculture (Evelien De Swaef, IMAQUA)
5. Acoustic monitoring for mussel longlines (Thomas Vandorpe, VLIZ)
6. A publicly available SNP array for selective breeding in the leading Mediterranean fish species (Tsigenopoulos Constantinos, HCMR)
17:15 – 17:30 | Closing Remarks by the Organizers
17:30 – 18:00 | Networking Reception
EATIP @ AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2024
EXPLORING COLLABORATION & INNOVATION TRANSFER VEHICLES FOR AQUACULTURE
AQUA2024 – COPENHAGEN – Innovation Forum, August 28th
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
09:00 Introductions
Moderators: David Bassett (EATiP); Alistair Lane (EAS)
09:15 Session 1: Fostering regional synergies in Europe for innovation in aquaculture
(Chair: David Bassett, EATIP)
- DG MARE, Unit A2 – Lorella de la Cruz Iglesias
- DG RTD, Unit Healthy Seas and Oceans – Nikos Zampoukas
- DG REGIO / S3 Community of Practice / IDEA Consult – Els Van de Velde
10:15 Plenary Discussion
10:45 BREAK
11:15 Session 2: Inter-Regional Innovation Landscape in Practice: case studies on how innovation transfer vehicles promote advances in aquaculture
(Chair: Mieke Eggermont, EATIP Mirror Platform WG chair)
- Example 1: InterReg – Adriatic Interregional Collaboration – Francesca Perretta (IPA ADRION National Contact Point Marche Region)
- Example 2: TSSP for Smart and Circular Aquaculture – David Bassett (EATiP)
- Example 3: Innovation Transfer with Mission Ocean – Blue Mission Banos (Efthalia Arvaniti (Submariner Network)
- Example 4: EATiP Mirror Platform Working Group on Sludge – Ann Cecilie Hilling (NCE Aquaculture)
- Example 5: The Nordic Research and Innovation Initiative for Sustainable Aquaculture – Kjell Maroni (Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund / Nordforsk)
12:15 Panel discussion among speakers
12:30 LUNCH
14:00 Session 3: Innovation transfer within the Aquaculture Research Community
(Chair: Ana Hererro (Patogen / AQUAEXCEL3.0 IRAP)
- Example 1a: High impact AQUAEXCEL3.0 Knowledge Outputs
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- Introduction: Open experiment facilities as tools for knowledge exchange – Karla Corrales (ERINN Innovation)
- CryoPlankton benefits in seabass aquaculture – Konstantinos Tzakris (Planktonic)
- Transforming food industry and agriculture waste into nutrient-rich alternative feed for fish: A Case Study with Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Martin Kulma (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague)
- Application of innovative and easy sustainable environmental enrichment on the behaviour and welfare of farmed trout – Georgina Lea Fazekas (MATE)
- Mentimeter
- Example 1b: European Marine Biological Resource Centre – Mery Pina (EMBRC)
- Panel discussion
- Example 2: EU-Asian International capacity building as a vehicle for future innovation transfer – Patrick Sorgeloos (EATiP International Cooperation Working Group)
- Example 3: FAO Aquaculture Unit – case study of the Shanghai Ocean University – TBC.
15:45 Session 4 – Facilitation, funding models and future calls for inter-regional innovation transfer
(Chair: Damien Toner / BIM)
- BlueInvest: Funding as international support tool – Cathrine Frideres (BlueInvest)
- ECBF – European Circular BioeconomyFund – Mathias Brink Lorenz (ECBF)
- EMFAF funds for the Flemish Aquaculture Cluster VAP – Stefan Teerlinck (Inagro)
- Mentoring and Accelerator Programme for Blue Growth – Efthalia Arvaniti (Submariner Network)
- Innovation and knowledge transfer support by Blue Bioeconomy CoLAB, a Portuguese case study – Taynara Franco (B2E)
- International Innovation Transfer as development support – Paw Petersen (Oxyguard)
16:45 Closing discussions
17:00 NETWORKING DRINK
NCE AQUATECH / EATIP webinar
Online Webinar – Wednesday June 26th @ 11:00 – 12:30 CEST
The European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform EATiP seeks to promote and support research and innovation for the benefit and development of a sustainable European aquaculture sector. It consolidates the aquaculture community and facilitates collaborative initiatives across Europe, e.g. through the recently established Smart Circular Aquaculture Partnership, seeking to promote inter-regional innovation transfer.
A series of digital seminars arranged for the EATiPs Mirror Platforms will introduce aquaculture clusters to their peers and member enterprises with the aim to provide insight into cluster competences and capacities, and to stimulate bilateral or interregional cooperation.
NCE Aquatech Cluster will host the first seminar
Register now and view agenda
EATIP Annual General Meeting 2024
The EATIP Annual General Meeting was held this year on the 19th & 20th of June 2024 at the HILTON Brussels Grand Place
DAY 1 – 19th June 2022
- 10:00 Visit to BIGH fish farm (for EATIP members and upon registration only)
- 13h00 Networking lunch for all participants.
Hilton Brussels Grand Place – Carrefour de l’Europe 3, 1000 Brussels
- 14:00 Introduction & Welcome
- 14:10 Session 1: Research & Innovation Trends: A policy context. / Session Lead: David Bassett, General Secretary, EATIP
- Aspects of aquaculture research and innovation within EU Mission Ocean Restore our Ocean and Freshwaters and Sustainable Food Policy.
- Foresight : a timeline to the 10th European Framework Programme for Research & Innovation.
Szilvia Nemeth, European Commission Deputy Head of the Ocean, Seas and Waters Unit B4, DG RTD - Strengthening Regional Innovation Capacity and Interregional Cooperation through Cohesion Policy.
Wolfgang Munch, European Commission DG Regional & Urban Policy, Unit G1 – smart & sustainable growth - Group Exercise / Discussion
- 15:00 Session 2: Focus on European Partnerships and Missions / Session Lead: David Bassett, General Secretary, EATIP
- An overview of the European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare and current first funding call – the aquatic animal perspective.
Nathalie Vanderheijden, University of Ghent Coordinator of the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare - Updating aquaculture stakeholders on the European Partnership for Sustainable Blue Economy.
Maurice Heral, Brussels Cellule, European Partnership for Sustainable Blue Economy - Aquaculture Stakeholder Engagement with EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Freshwaters: A basin/lighthouse approach to blue economy research, dissemination and exploitation.
Mission Ocean Team & Prep4Blue Project - Group Exercise / Discussion
- An overview of the European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare and current first funding call – the aquatic animal perspective.
- 16:30 Session 3: Smart Specialisation for Smart & Circular Aquaculture / Session Lead: Alexandra Neyts, Senior Advisor, EATIP
- An EATiP Strategy for improved regional innovation transfer using the EATIP Mirror Platform network and the EC Smart Specialisation Strategy.
- Introducing the EATiP Smart & Circular Aquaculture Platform.
- Results from the EATiP Mirror Platform Mapping Exercise.
- Identification of EATIP members engagement with regional authorities and national smart specialisation strategies.
- Identification of EATiP members engagement with regional authorities and national smart specialisation strategies.
- An EATiP Strategy for improved regional innovation transfer using the EATIP Mirror Platform network and the EC Smart Specialisation Strategy.
- 17:00 Session 4: Prioritisation exercise within the EATiP Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda – 2026/2027 and beyond / Session Lead: Alex Obach, EATIP President and Director of Innovation, Skretting
- Further to the circulation of a paper on identified topics for research and innovation prioritisation, a discussion will be moderated on agreed priorities for action for the remaining duration of Horizon Europe (2026 – 2027) with a forward look to the 10th Framework Programme.
- 17:30 Session 5: Project Updates & Opportunities for Collaboration
- EATiP Projects Update
- AquaExcel 3.0 / Alexandra Neyts
- Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism / David Bassett
- OLAMUR / Pam Ernstberger
- Current summary of EATiP project roles – invitation for EATIP member engagement
- Identification of collaboration activities with EATiP members
- Aquaculture Europe 2024 – EC/EATIP/EAS innovation Forum
- … your event!…
- EATiP Projects Update
- 18:30 Closing Aperitif and Networking Opportunity, offered by EATIP
DAY 2 – 20th June 2024
- 09:30 Session 6: EATIP Communications & Member Projects
- Membership communication: getting value from EATiP activities and information and making the most of the EATiP Basecamp System / Catherine Pons
- Boosting project communication, dissemination and exploitation with profile raising through EATiP social media / Pam Ernstberger
- EATiP Member Project Pitches
- BlueBoost: Riccardo Napolitano / ITAQUA-CREA
- ValueShell : Andrea Forgione and Lucia Tudini / CREA
- 11:00 General Assembly of EATiP – Only for EATiP Members
- 13:00 Walking lunch for all participants
- 16:00 EATiP Mirror Platform Meeting (for mirror platforms and their members only)
For further details on presentations during the AGM, please contact the secretariat.
EATIP AT AQUAFARM
EATIP participated at AQUAFARM, Pordenone (Italy) on February 14&15, 2024!
Information was given about our project work including:
The AQUAEXCEL 3.0 project – opening up transnational access to EU research networks
The recently joined Thematic Smart Specialisation Platform (TSSP) for Smart Circular Aquaculture
OLAMUR – considering marine multi use (aquaculture and wind energy) as part of the EU Mission Ocean Baltic and North Sea Lighthouse
Read more on the AQUAFARM Webpage
Many of our members were also there!
EATIP AT THE AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2023, VIENNA
Our EATiP booth #39 was a great success with lots of visits from many colleagues from all over.
Information was given about our project work including:
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- Providing technical input to The EC Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism
- The AQUAEXCEL 3.0 project – opening up transnational access to EU research networks
- OLAMUR – considering marine multi use (aquaculture and wind energy) as part of the EU Mission Ocean Baltic and North Sea Lighthouse
The EATiP / EC / EAS INNOVATION FORUM was extremely well attended on Wednesday 20 September (Programme), as well as the AQUAEXEL3.0 networking drink following the event.
More on the AQUAEXCEL3.0 presentations 
Experimental assessment of the fish meal content requirements for Meagre feeds, by Ramon Fontillas | Skretting ARC (Netherlands).
The effect of krill meal inclusion on the growth of juvenile gilthead seabream, by Kiranpreet Kaur | Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS (Norway).
Metal amino acid complexes as a cost-effective strategy to help reducing fish meal in European seabass diets, by Claudia Silva | Zinpro (Portugal).
Meet us at Aquaculture Europe 2023
Aquaculture Europe 2023 will soon be upon us – running from 18 – 21 September inclusive.
EATiP will be hosting booth #39 in the trade show.
Come and visit us to learn more about our project work including:
- Providing technical input to The EC Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism
- The AQUAEXCEL 3.0 project – opening up transnational access to EU research networks
- OLAMUR – considering marine multi use (aquaculture and wind energy) as part of the EU Mission Ocean Baltic and North Sea Lighthouse
Please also note that on Wednesday 20 September we will be co-hosting the EATiP / EC / EAS INNOVATION FORUM from 10:30-17:30 ‘ Room Schubert 5/6.
View Programme
We look forward to seeing you there!
Annual General Meeting of the EATiP
The EATIP AGM was successfully held in Brussels on the 14th & 15th of June 2023 at the Manos Conference Center & Hotel.
Please see below the programme of the event:
The presentations are available for EATiP members on our intranet.
Lorella de la Cruz Iglesias (EC DG MARE), Gustavo Larrazábal (EATIP President), David Bassett (EATIP General Secretary)
Alexandra Neyts (EATIP)
Gustavo Larrazábal, was thanked for 14 years of Presidency (2009-2023) and exceptional service to research and innovation in European Aquaculture. CONGRATULATIONS! especially since he received two weeks before the FEAP Award for Excellence in European Aquaculture.
