A record number of participants – more than 3,100 from 97 countries – made the Aquaculture Europe 2025 conference, held in Valencia (Spain) on 22–25 September, the largest event of this kind in Europe. Organized by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and the Torre de la Sal Aquaculture Institute, the conference brought together science, industry, education, and society under the slogan “Aquaculture for Everyone.”
This year’s conference presented and discussed the main trends shaping the future of aquaculture. Sustainability and regenerative aquaculture are becoming the key tools for preserving and restoring the health of the oceans. Advances in genetics and selection used in aquaculture, as well as analysis of global market and consumer trends show how science is linked to real economic and social processes.
The conference revealed a technological transformation – from classic aquaculture to artificial intelligence, biosensors, and automated monitoring systems. Much attention was also paid to inclusion and education initiatives: workshops were held by the NOWA women’s network, forums for young scientists, and educational programmes for students.
More than 1,200 presentations were given at the event, covering topics such as animal welfare and health, sustainable production and regenerative aquaculture, feed and nutrition innovations, the application of omics methods, the effects of climate change and environmental pollution, and ecosystem restoration.
At the Aquaculture Europe 2025 conference, a team of scientists from the Nature Research Centre, including Danguolė Montvydienė, Živilė Jurgelėnė, Renata Butrimienė, Jūratė Karosienė, Brigita Gylytė, and Diana Miškelytė presented reports reviewing the results of research obtained through projects funded under the NATO program Science for Peace and Security (RestoAqua, No. G6085), RCL Young Scientists Group Project (NanoBioTox, No. S-MIP-24-92), and RCL Postdoctoral Fellowship (No. S-PD-24-179).
