Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, will become the global epicentre of aquaculture this week, from now until 30 August, with the celebration of AQUA 2024. The event will bring together scientists, industry experts and students from around the world to discuss the future of aquatic food production.
Co-organised by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), the six-yearly event is considered one of the most important in the industry.
In a context where the transformation of food systems is seen as essential to mitigate climate impacts and improve food security for billions of people, aquatic food production, known as Blue Food, stands out as an essential solution. Aquatic food, derived from marine and freshwater species, provides a healthy, tasty and highly nutritious resource for the planet.
Aquaculture has shown remarkable adaptability to change, gaining recognition for its environmental responsibility, low environmental impact and high efficiency in protein conversion and delivery. As our knowledge in this field increases, so does our ability to offer 'green solutions' throughout the aquaculture and seafood value chain. These solutions must not only be financially viable, but must also be based on the intelligent and sustainable use of resources in order to maintain a measurable and limited environmental impact.
The event is packed with high-level interventions from academics and industry experts.
On Tuesday, the plenary session will be chaired by Dag Stelmo, Senior Vice President of DNB, who will provide a financial perspective on the future of aquaculture, analysing the challenges and opportunities facing the industry to significantly increase sustainable production while reducing its environmental footprint.
In addition to the academic sessions, meetings and events will be held during these days to strengthen the links between academics and entrepreneurs. On the same day, the Spotlight Awards will be presented to recognise the work of young researchers.
The Industry Forum also stands out as a key space within Aqua 2024, focusing on different parts of the industry value chain through four discussion panels. This forum aims to identify knowledge needs and areas where the industry sees opportunities for improvement, as well as the EuroShrimp Forum, a platform to promote indoor shrimp farming in Europe.
On Wednesday, the Innovation Forum will be the highlight of the event, exploring interregional cooperation through the lens of European Union policy and at a global level.
On Friday, the event will conclude with the second plenary session, led by Signe Riemer-Sørensen, Senior Researcher and Research Manager at SINTEF, Norway. Signe Riemer-Sørensen will give a presentation entitled "AI with Knowledge", explaining how industrial artificial intelligence models that integrate domain-specific knowledge into so-called hybrid AI can have a significant impact on aquaculture.
Following this session, the Aqua 2024 Awards will be presented, recognising the most outstanding contributions in aquaculture research and innovation. These awards will celebrate the achievements of those who are driving the advancement of sustainable aquaculture and the adoption of new technologies in the sector.
Main Topics of Aqua 2024
The Aqua 2024 conference will cover a wide range of topics reflecting current trends and future challenges in aquaculture. Researchers and industry professionals will focus on key areas such as sustainability, the use of alternative ingredients in aquaculture feed, fish health and welfare, and the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.
A major focus will be on sustainability and the circular economy, with sessions dedicated to how supply chains can adapt to minimise environmental impact. The transition to a circular economy in aquatic food production will be discussed, exploring innovative solutions for by-product use and resource optimisation. In addition, the environmental impact assessment of aquaculture, including the management of the ecological footprint of aquatic food products, will be a key theme, highlighting the importance of developing more sustainable practices.
Fish health and welfare will also be central to the debate, with presentations addressing from disease prevention to outbreak management in aquaculture environments. Special attention will be paid to emerging challenges related to climate change and its impact on fish health, as well as strategies to mitigate these effects.
Technological innovation will play a prominent role at Aqua 2024, with several sessions dedicated to the use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture. Experts will discuss how AI is being used to monitor fish health in real time, optimise feeding and improve traceability in the supply chain. These technologies are revolutionising aquaculture, enabling more precise and efficient resource management.
Finally, communication and knowledge transfer will be cross-cutting themes, with discussions on how to improve communication between industry, consumers and local communities. The importance of building trust and transparency will be highlighted, particularly in relation to sustainability and animal welfare, areas of increasing consumer interest.
AQUA 2024 will be an opportunity to unite the entire sector around a common goal. The event will include a scientific conference, trade exhibition, industry forums, workshops, student events and receptions.
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