Organised by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and hosted with the Torre de la Sal Aquaculture Institute at the Valencia Conference Centre from 22-25 September, the event spilled across the main congress hall, several floors of the neighbouring Sercotel Sorolla Palace hotel and even into an outdoor pavilion – a fitting setting in Valencia’s late-September sunshine.
True to its motto “Aquaculture for Everyone”, this year’s edition broadened its scope well beyond research and industry. The Network of Women in Aquaculture (NOWA) hosted a workshop on identifying and developing talent, while the Spanish SEA brought together young Spanish scientists. Outreach also extended to schools, with 90 local students introduced to the sector’s role in future food production.
NOWA brought together experts from NORCE, CIIMAR, FEAP, ASC, SEAentia and CETMAR for an inspiring roundtable
Students made a strong mark on the congress, with 381 in attendance. The European Aquaculture Student Group marked its 25th anniversary, while continuing its tradition of hosting workshops and presenting awards They also organised a lively student reception, held the evening before the traditional president’s reception, which this year took place offsite at the City of Arts and Sciences.
Science at the forefront
The scientific programme was extensive, with 1,254 abstracts forming 597 oral presentations and 571 e-posters across 57 sessions. Nutrition research stood out, including new results from the University of Stirling showing that a phytogenic feed ingredient based on essential oils reduced sea lice attachment to Atlantic salmon by 70 percent in controlled trials.
The plenary sessions set the tone. Oceanographer Carlos Duarte opened with a call for regenerative aquaculture and its role in restoring ocean health. On the second day, Elisabetta Giuffra of INRAE explored the latest advances in genetics, while the third day featured Joan Riera from Kantar Worldpanel with a forward-looking analysis of aquaculture trends. Together, they highlighted the congress’s dual focus on scientific excellence and industry foresight.
The breadth of sessions ensured that everyone could find a topic of interest. Welfare discussions examined sea lice mitigation strategies and the effects of anthropogenic sound on salmon and seabass behaviour, while research into novel species included encouraging progress in seahorse aquaculture.
A record-setting event
With 155 international exhibitors, the trade show was every bit as dynamic as the scientific programme. Side events included meetings of Spain’s national advisory boards on marine and freshwater aquaculture, further aligning the country’s strategy with the EU’s sustainability and food security goals.
Looking ahead, next year’s conference themed “Aquaculture in a Global Change”, will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 28 September to 1 October 2026. This edition is expected to have a strong regional focus, particularly on the Adriatic aquaculture industry, while continuing to build on the global themes showcased in Valencia.
