EVENT

AquaFarm 2026 (Italy): the first major aquaculture meeting of the year

Pordenone, Italy, 22 December 2025 | 18-19 February: the first major event of 2026 for the Mediterranean aquaculture sector

AQUAFARM 2025

Less than two months remain until the event that will bring together in Pordenone, Italy, the key players driving the development of Mediterranean aquaculture. Scheduled for 18-19 February 2026, AquaFarm represents the first major event of the year for the sector and is the international exhibition dedicated to sustainable aquaculture, technological innovation and the future of fish and seafood value chains.

Once again in 2026, AquaFarm confirms its role as a reference point for companies, institutions, research centres and economic operators from across Europe and the Mediterranean region, providing an opportunity for dialogue on the main issue shaping the sector’s evolution.

Alongside AquaFarm, the Pordenone Fiere exhibition centre will also host NovelFarm, the international event dedicated to innovations in agritech, vertical farming and soillness cultivation systems, together with the special thematic area AlgaeFarm, focused on the algaculture industry and the growing role of algae and microalgae in sustainable production systems.

Today, AquaFarm is a space of dialogue between complementary sectors, where innovation, research and business come together to build increasingly integrated production models,

emphasises Patrizia D’Odorico, AquaFarm Exhibition Manager

The common thread linking AquaFarm and NovelFarm is aquaponics: a system that integrates aquaculture and hydroponics within a circular environment, optimising resource use and enabling efficient and sustainable production. A concrete example of cross-sector integration and applied circular economy.

Conferences, new thematic areas and key content

The provisional conference programme for AquaFarm 2026 is already available online and will address some of the most relevant challenges facing the sector, including the sustainable management of marine and freshwater resources; new production models, from integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) to regenerative systems; emerging technologies such as robotic, artificial intelligence and recirculating aquaculture systems; the management of invasive species, such as the blue crab, and strategies to turn a critical issue into an opportunity.

A major new feature of the 2026 edition is AquaFishery, a thematic area entirely dedicated to artisanal and professional fisheries. Designed to enhance a sector undergoing profound transformation, Aquafishery will offer concrete tools to help shape its future through conferences, round tables and a dedicated exhibition area, focusing on sustainability, digitalisation, training and European policies.

Call for Papers, Start-ups and open registration

The Call for Papers for AquaFarm 2026 is now officially open, inviting professionals from the aquaculture, shellfish farming and fisheries sectors to share experiences, case studies and new perspectives with the industry community.

Visitor registration is already open. AquaFarm 2026 will offer two intensive days of training, professional development and networking, with an exhibition area show casting the most innovative solutions on the market.

Special attention will also be given to start-ups, recognised as a key driver of innovation. Preferential conditions have been introduced to support the participation of emerging companies that are helping to reshape the future of the sector.

Key information Details
Event: AquaFarm 2026 Dates: 18–19 February 2026
Location Pordenone Fiere (Italy)
Co-located events NovelFarm, AlgaeFarm. New for 2026: AquaFishery
2026 Programme Programme link
Visitor registration open Register here
Official website https://www.aquafarm.show/