EATiP MiP MEETING & ORRI WORKSHOP IN WESTPORT, IRELAND
Our Mirror Platform clusters met in person in Westport, on Ireland’s west coast, on 15–16 September 2026 — two days of exchange, site visits and workshops!
EATiP members head to China to study IMTA
From 24 October to 1 November, EATiP members take part in a study trip to China — travelling from Xiamen to Qingdao — to meet Chinese actors of sustainable aquaculture: laboratories, universities, production and processing sites.
The programme focuses on integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), restorative aquaculture and the ecosystem services of aquaculture, with reference to current Chinese production — including site visits, university meetings, a Franco-Chinese conference and the Qingdao Seafood Expo.
The trip is organised with our colleagues at Le Paysan Marin (France).
BaMS / EATIP – Blue Value Chains Webinar
Online Webinar – Wednesday, July 8th from 10:00 to 11:45 CEST.
As part of EATiP’s webinar series, launched to promote knowledge exchange and foster collaboration among its Mirror Platforms, aquaculture clusters from across Europe were invited to present their activities, expertise and innovation capacities to peers and member enterprises.
On July 8th, BaMS – Blaue Bioökonomie – hosted a 1h30 webinar exploring the complexities of the Blue Value Chain from four perspectives:
- Production: The EU Project OLAMUR discussed the challenges and opportunities involved in cultivating low-trophic biomass at offshore wind farms. (by Pam Ernstberger (EATIP), Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWII), and ETT S.p.A. partners.
- Diversification: The EU LOCALITY Algae showcased the diverse industrial applications of micro and macroalgae, ranging from sustainable textiles to alternative proteins.
- Market Reality: Viva Maris GmbH provided insights into consumer adoption and the food marker for algae-based products, completing the picture.
- Scaling Up: Blue Bioeconomy auf Marinen Stadorten (BaMS) presented their late work on conceptualising a modular pilot facility to help local innovators overcome infrastructure challenges.
The webinar has been recorded: coming soon.
EATIP Annual General Meeting 2026
This year, our EATIP AGM has been successfully 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:
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 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).
Introducing our new EATiP President!
We are delighted to report that further to the announcement at the General Assembly that after a remarkable 14 years of service our founding President Gustavo Larrazabal was standing down, the EATiP Board has duly elected Alex Obach, Director of Innovation at Skretting, to be our President for the next year.
Alex Obach has been the Innovation Director in Skretting since July 2021 and is the head of Skretting Aquaculture Innovation (Skretting AI).
Originally from Barcelona, he is a veterinarian with a Master in Aquaculture from the University of Girona (Spain) and a PhD in fish pathology and immunology from the University of West Brittany (France).
Alex started working at the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) in 1993 as a researcher, initially within fish health then as a nutritionist. From May 2007 to July 2021, he was the Managing Director of Skretting ARC (Aquaculture Research Centre), the global R&D unit of Skretting. He was also engaged as lecturer at the University of Barcelona (1995-1997), and worked as Technical Director in Marine Harvest (2004-2007).
Commenting on his election and the important role that EATiP plays in promoting strategic research and innovation needs for European Aquaculture, Alex notes, “I am convinced that innovation and technological development will be instrumental to secure the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry and Europe, encouraged through the assistance of EATiP and the identification of strategic research and innovation priorities alongside innovation transfer, should be a role model to promote innovation at all levels and by all the stakeholders in our industry”.
We are sure that you join with the Board and Secretariat in welcoming Alex to the position of President and we look forward to sharing future developments with you!
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.
Introducing Sarah Joly
The EATiP Secretariat are delighted to be hosting an intern for the third consecutive year, continuing our tradition of taking a student from the University of Liège who is studying for a Masters in Oceanography.
This year we are delighted to welcome Sarah Joly.
Sarah will be assisting the EATiP team on a number of project and administrative tasks and we look forward to her getting to know both our diverse projects and membership in more detail. In a short message that Sarah provided by way of introducing herself to the EATiP Platform, we were struck with her clear understanding of the need to balance the public demand for sustainable industries with the increasingly important role of aquaculture in the provision of Blue Foods to the European market.
“I support the concept of aquaculture, the need to farm fish, shellfish and algae, but also appreciate the consumer perspective of wishing to see “sustainable” industries. In summary, I am in line with the socio-economic vision for the development of the aquaculture sector and the wider blue economy.”
Sarah Joly – 2nd Year Masters Student at the University of Liège
Although the intern position is only for one month, it looks like Sarah will be returning to the aquaculture community before too long, going on to tell us, “I was lucky enough to get an internship at EATIP. This gives me an opportunity for concrete consideration of the practical issues relating to aquaculture. This apprenticeship also gives me the opportunity to consider the range of work and opportunities in this field. This is something that I would like to pursue after my university studies have concluded.”
We look forward to working with Sarah and showing the wealth of opportunities there are in aquaculture – as demonstrated across our diverse platform membership and to demonstrate to her trends and priorities in the aquaculture research and innovation network, both in terms of industry priorities but also from the perspectives of policy considerations. We thank our supporters and members for their welcome to Sarah over the next few weeks – let’s see what opportunities might arise!
