ActFast is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action project that will demonstrate climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions for Aquaculture. FEAP is pleased to contribute to this project, which officially started on 1 June 2025 and will run for 48 months. With a total budget of €5 million, the project is coordinated by the University of Bologna and brings together 28 partners from 13 countries, including EU Member States, Norway, Tunisia and Egypt, working to improve the resilience, sustainability and circularity of aquaculture in the face of climate change.

Supporting the sector’s climate adaptation and innovation capacity

ActFast aims to develop and demonstrate practical, science-based solutions to help aquaculture operators adapt to environmental stressors such as heatwaves, disease outbreaks, and water quality deterioration. The project combines AI-driven forecasting tools, real-time biosensor monitoring, climate-adapted feeds, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems to future-proof marine, transitional and freshwater farming across four key regions:

• The Mediterranean (sea bass, sea bream)
• The North-East Atlantic (salmon)
• Central and Eastern European inland waters (carp, trout)
• Delta and coastal lagoon areas (shellfish, tilapia, mullet)

Expected impacts by 2029

ActFast sets out to deliver:

• 10% reduction in mortality rates for sea bass and sea bream through climate-adapted health strategies
• 10% reduction in antibiotic use via preventive measures and functional feeds
• 10–15% improvement in feed conversion through low-carbon, climate-smart feed formulations
• Validation of biosensors and early warning systems for on-farm monitoring of water quality and fish health
• AI-based decision-support tools for adaptive farm management in response to climate variability10% reduction in mortality for key species

FEAP’s role

FEAP plays a central role in stakeholder engagement, dissemination and market uptake. As part of Work Package 7, FEAP coordinates the ActFast Stakeholder Panel to ensure producers’ needs are reflected in project activities. FEAP also contributes to the design and promotion of the ActFast Virtual Lighthouse, a digital platform offering immersive training and demonstration of climate-smart solutions developed within the project. By supporting knowledge exchange and innovation uptake across the sector, FEAP aims to ensure that ActFast delivers real and lasting benefits for European aquaculture producers.

For more information, visit the project page on CORDIS or follow it on LinkedIn.

Read it now!

The FEAP Secretariat was also present and contributed with policy recommendations and presented the views of the aquaculture producers at the policy roundtable discussion.

Please watch the recording of the event here

Read the press release and more about the event

Brussels, Belgium | November 15, 2023 | Time: 09:00

Discover new solutions and inspiring policy sessions on challenges and opportunities for sustainable aquaculture production and consumption in the European Union.
Aquaculture is the fastest growing food-producing sector. It delivers nutritious food to a growing world population,creates jobs and economic development in coastal and rural communities and helps mitigate climate change. However, it is necessary to address relevant challenges for the sustainable growth of EU aquaculture.

The NewTechAqua project is organising its Final Conference on 15 November 2023 in Brussels to present its finals results and innovations, as well as the solutions of the winners of its Award Challenge to bring economical, environmental, and social benefits to the sector. The event will gather policymakers, producers, researchers, and startups, and organise policy roundtables to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the future of the sector.

NewTechAqua is a 4-year-research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovationprogramme. NewTechAqua’s main goal is to expand and diversify European aquaculture production of finfish, molluscs and microalgae by developing and validating technologically advanced, resilient and sustainable applications.

Location: Greenovate! Europe (Silversquare Bailli) – Av. Louise 231, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

Register now by filling in this form! 

Which topics will be addressed?

• Fish health and disease resistance.
• Technologies and production systems to increase efficiency.
• Diversification of fish species.
• Management systems.
• New eco-friendly fish and molluscs products with high nutritional value.

How does it work?

• Morning session: devoted to presenting the most relevant innovations of the project.
• NewTechAqua Award Challenge Ceremony: the winning companies will present their solutions.
• Policy recommendations and roundtables: the project will present its policy recommendations for a more sustainable and resilient aquaculture and invite key stakeholders to discuss in the policy roundtables.

Who should join the event?

• Policymakers and other authorities.
• Researchers and academic community.
• Aquaculture producers.
• Technology providers.
• Feed companies.
• Consumers.

Read more on NTA 

REGISTER here

The project coordinator of NewTechAqua, Alessio Bonaldo, researcher at University of Bologna, attended the WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2023, that took place in Malta on June 22nd to receive the award.

Alessio Bonaldo has the opportunity to present NewTechAqua results and outcomes in terms of replicability and foster cross-colaboration and network within the Western Mediterranean blue economy ecosystem.

In light of this recognition, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the continuous support from our partners and stakeholders. This award is a big honour which valorises the work done by our consortium for a sustainable European aquaculture.

Read more

The first webinar on how to improve consumers’ awareness on EU sustainable aquaculture was held online on the 7 June 2023.

From 27 to 29 June 2023 :  the first training workshop on low impact aquaculture production systems will be held  at IRTA La Ràpita, Tarragona (Spain).

Register now to the next events:

• 5 July 2023: Webinar on Promoting Aquaculture 4.0 at farm level / More info
• 16-20 October : Advance course in organic aquaculture / More info

SEE NEWTECHAQUA UPCOMING EVENTS

During its seminar & commission meetings held in Athens and hosted by HAPO at the beginning of December, the European Federation of Aquaculture Producers published its 2022 annual report.

In addition to the foreword of the President of the FEAP, Mrs Lara Barazi, you will go through an interesting interview with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans & Fisheries, Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, but also discover all FEAP activities and read more about its members, its production, and its involvement in European Research & Innovation.

• Improve fish and mollusc health and disease resistance
• Increase the efficiency of aquaculture production systems
• Make the aquaculture sector more sustainable and circular
• Support diversification of fish
• Develop new eco-friendly fish and molluscs
• Raise awareness and train professionals

You wish

• to be known at the international level
• to find new partners for the development of your solution
• to be selected for a coaching program
• to have your promotional video

Apply now for the NewTechAqua Award Challenge!

Deadline to apply: December 20th, 2022.

Application form

Read more at: https://www.newtechaqua.eu/newtechaqua-award-challenge/

The forum was organised with the support of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, where our President, Lara Barazi, highighted the following “The aquaculture producers that I represent as Chairman want to produce the more healthy, sustainable and safer product to the consumers. Innovation is one of the key element to succeed and FEAP is proud to support this new EATiP iniative“.

Watch the video.
Read more about the event.

Expansion and diversification of Europe’s aquaculture is therefore vital for our food security. NewTechAqua pursues a comprehensive approach to increase production while reducing the pressure on the environment.

Watch now the video showing how the strategy of the EU funded NewTechAqua project will prepare for the future.