Left to right: Arsenio Prieto, director of the IFEVI centre; David Regades, of the Vigo Free Trade Zone; Juan Lijó, director of Aquafuture Spain; Patricia García, director general of fisheries and aquaculture for the Galician regional government; Luisa Sanchez, vice-president of the Pontevedra Provincial Council; and Javier Fraga, director of Abanca Mar © Aquafuture Spain
More than 8,000 visitors are expected to attend, Aquafuture Spain, which is taking place in Vigo, from 20-22 May – over three times the number who came to the 2023 edition.
According to the organisers of the aquaculture conference and trade show, this is partly due to switching from an annual to biennial event, and partly due to the decision relocate to Vigo’s IFEVI exhibition centre.
This year’s event is set to feature 210 companies – a 50 percent increase compared to the previous edition – from 26 different countries, including 12 from China.
“The significant institutional support the project has received from the Xunta de Galicia, Vigo City Council, Pontevedra Provincial Council, Vigo Free Trade Zone, and Abanca has greatly helped consolidate this project in Galicia and promise a bright future,” said the organisers in a press release.
The event offers an extensive programme of technical workshops, a panel discussion and seven roundtables, featuring 40 international speakers and with the participation of the audience.
Topics for discussion
Tuesday, 20 May
- Panel, 10:30-11:30am: Aquaculture: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. A space for intergenerational dialogue in which industry professionals with extensive experience, current experts, and young people just starting their professional careers will share their views on the evolution of aquaculture in Spain.
- Roundtable 1, 3:00-4:00pm: Implementation of the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the aquaculture industry. This panel will discuss how companies can comply with new legal requirements regarding sustainability.
- Roundtable 2, 4:00-5:00pm: Technology and Artificial Intelligence applied to marketing and production. Best practices in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies in aquaculture, such as the optimisation of production processes.
Wednesday, 21 May
- Roundtable 3, 10:30-11:30am: Increasing production for sustainable global aquaculture. This panel will cover innovations in farming systems, improvements in resource management, and potential collaborations.
- Roundtable 4, 11:30am-12:30pm: Circular innovation in aquaculture. This panel will discuss initiatives that transform aquaculture business models toward greater sustainability and profitability.
- Roundtable 5, 12:30-1:30pm: Internationalisation in the aquaculture sector. Discussions will focus on changing consumer demands, opportunities in international markets, and strategies.
- Roundtable 6, 3:00-4:30pm: Future food trends and alternative proteins. Emerging trends in aquaculture product consumption, changes in demand, and market opportunities will be analysed.
- Roundtable 7, 4:30-5:30pm: Ensuring a sustainable supply of bivalve seed: challenges and opportunities for aquaculture and shellfish farming in Galicia (Galicia Marine Sciences Program, ThinkInAzul).
Aquafuture Spain will also have two presentation rooms where companies, institutions, and research centres will present their projects, research, services and more. These include: Alex Group, Laksesystemers, Akva Group, Irta, iArcus, Ciimar, BioMar, Grupo Eurored, Morenot, Kovalus, and Flatlantic.
