Located 90 kilometres northwest of Trieste and 75 kilometres north of Venice, Pordenone sits in a strategic position between the Alps and the Po Valley. Each year, the city hosts AquaFarm, an event that is fast becoming the key hub for aquaculture in Italy and the wider Mediterranean region.
Now in its eighth edition, AquaFarm 2025 has once again demonstrated its ability to bring together all those working to advance the aquaculture sector. Spanning 7,000 square metres, the exhibition space has welcomed everyone from young learners, who took part in aquaculture workshops, to culinary schools showcasing seafood cookery demonstrations, as well as academics, producers, and technology providers presenting their latest research and innovations.
With 110 exhibitors from Italy and across the Mediterranean, this year’s event has seen a 30% increase in visitor numbers. The conference programme has explored a wide range of topics, with particular focus this year on aquaculture in Andalusia and the opportunities for integrating aquaculture with cultural heritage.
Alfonso Macías, representing the Association of Marine Aquaculture Producers (ASEMA), provided insights into the FAO’s Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (SIPAM) application process.
AquaFarm has also been a platform for fostering international collaboration, welcoming seafood buyers from South America, including Brazil, as well as from North Africa, the Balkans, and Greece. They joined other professionals from the Netherlands, further reinforcing the event’s role as a global meeting point for the industry.
Renato Pujatti, President of Pordenone Fiere, described AquaFarm as "an opportunity to meet, discuss key and emerging issues in the sector, explore new business opportunities, and stay up to date with the latest research, regulations, and market trends."
One of the defining features of AquaFarm 2025 is the strong backing it receives from industry stakeholders, particularly the Italian Fish Farmers Association (API) and the Mediterranean Aquaculture Association. Matteo Leonardi, the newly appointed API president, emphasised the importance of bringing the industry together in one space to discuss both challenges and opportunities. Meanwhile, Pier Antonio Salvador, a leading figure in Italian aquaculture and a driving force behind the event, stressed the need for continued teamwork, highlighting AquaFarm as an ideal setting to strengthen industry collaboration.
This year’s conference programme has featured over 20 sessions, with 150 international speakers and experts addressing critical topics shaping the industry’s future. Discussions have ranged from decarbonisation and energy self-sufficiency to animal welfare, emerging technologies, and circular economy principles in aquaculture.
Additionally, the first Italian guide on fish welfare in aquaculture was unveiled at the event, a result of collaboration between API and IZSVe.
Related
Latest In-depth
-
EU launches Pan-European Campaign “Aquaculture in the EU: "We work for you with passion” with a Fresh Look at Sustainable Production Systems
Brussels, 25 March 2025 | A multilingual website offers citizens in-depth insights into European aquaculture
EVENTS
-
22SepMon, 22 Sep - Thu, 25 SepPalacio de Congresos de Valencia