Spain gears up to host Aquaculture Europe 2025 in Valencia

Jaume Pérez (izq) y Alistair Lane | Aquaculture Europe 2025

With less than six months to go until the eagerly awaited Aquaculture Europe 2025 (AE25VAL), which will take place from 22 to 25 September in the city of Valencia, preparations are well underway for the event to become the epicentre of aquaculture.

Last week, the AE25VAL Organising Committee held a key planning meeting in Valencia, setting out a clear roadmap and making progress on several fundamental aspects of the event.

Early indications suggest that this year’s edition is set to become one of the most well-attended in the conference’s history-not only in terms of speakers, but also thanks to strong institutional backing and broad participation from the production sector. The exhibition area is already 90% booked, signaling intense interest from across the industry.

The coming weeks will be particularly crucial for the scientific programme, as the session structure is being finalised. Those wishing to submit proposals for oral presentations have until 1 May to do so.

Jaume Pérez, Chair of the AE25VAL Organising Committee, told to misPeces that the topics for the daily plenary sessions have already finalised. These will explore three overarching themes.

The first will highlight how aquaculture is not part of the environmentally problem, but rather an essential part of the solution. The second will focus on current knowledge gaps the sector must address over the next five years. Third will delve into the decline in seafood consumption and examine the key factors behind it.

Further details on plenary speakers and their contributions will be announced shortly.

The organisers are working to ensure that AE25VAL offers more than just a professional and academic gathering-it aims to deliver a holistic experience, celebrating aquaculture’s growing role in global nutrition. To that end, plans are underway for a range of networking, cultural and culinary activities that will showcase the very best of Valencian heritage, including the stunning City of Arts and Sciences complex, where the event will take place.

Alistair Lane, Executive Director of the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) noted that Aquaculture Europe in Valencia offers a “helicopter view” for all those planning to attend, as it is “multidisciplinary event”. In addition to the engaging plenary sessions and the scientific programme currently being developed, Alistair explained that the splendid facilities of the Valencia Conference Centre will also host parallel sessions such as Industry Forum which will place particular focus on offshore aquaculture, as well as the Innovation Forum. Students, Alistair noted, will also be able to enjoy the scheduled activities, including the special session on Women in Aquaculture.

AE25VAL: A natural bridge between European and Latin American aquaculture

Europe-and particularly the Mediterranean basin-offers a compelling platform for collaboration with aquaculture professionals from Latin America. Countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Chile will find AE25VAL a unique opportunity for strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of commercial and technological synergies.

Universities, research centres, suppliers and industry associations from across Europe will come a close-up look at the latest innovation in fields such as digitalisation, automation, feed efficiency, and recirculating aquaculture systems.

Valencia also offers a prominent stage to highlight Latin American success stories, particularly in key species such as salmon, shrimp, and native Amazonian fish.

With all these elements coming together, Aquaculture Europe 2025 in Valencia is shaping up to be an unmissable date on the international aquaculture calendar.