AQUAFISH Partners Meet in Lisbon to Explore Sustainable Marine Food Solutions
WestBIC is an Enterprise Ireland partner providing hands-on startup support, funding readiness and investment preparation for early-stage founders in the west of Ireland.
WestBIC joined AQUAFISH partners in Lisbon for three days of collaboration, project discussions, expert knowledge-sharing and site visits focused on the future of sustainable marine food production.
The AQUAFISH 0.0 project brought partners together in Lisbon, Portugal, from 22–24 September 2026, for the project’s Steering Committee meeting followed by a major public Blue Circular Innovation Event.
Funded through the INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme, AQUAFISH 0.0 aims to stimulate innovative and sustainable production, processing and consumption of marine food products, while exploring how underutilised marine resources and aquaculture and fisheries by-products can be transformed into new food solutions.
Steering Committee meeting opens three days of collaboration
The programme opened on 22 September with the AQUAFISH Steering Committee meeting at IPMA in Lisbon.
Partners reviewed progress across the project, including project management and communication, the final project report and the work being carried out across the different work packages.
Discussions focused on circular processes in aquaculture and fisheries, including the inventory of by-products and by-catch volumes, innovative food products and the project’s pilot actions.
The Steering Committee also reviewed work around the social acceptance of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries products, including research into general acceptance, engagement with the next generation, outreach in the catering industry and raising awareness among the wider public.
The first day also included an opportunity for partners to experience Lisbon through a HIPPOtrip tour, followed by a project dinner at Casa do Alentejo.
Exploring regulation, food security and market opportunities
The second day of the Steering Committee meeting turned the focus towards environmental, economic and administrative feasibility.
Partners discussed the project’s work on:
- Regulatory and administrative aspects
- Food security and risk assessment
- Marketing and economic analysis
WestBIC is leading the project’s work on regulatory and administrative aspects, contributing to discussions around the challenges involved in developing and bringing innovative marine food products to market.
The programme also included a transnational panel of experts on food security and risk assessment, bringing together expertise from Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland. Among the Irish experts taking part was Dr. Clare O’Donovan from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Dr Clare O’Donovan, Manager, Public Health Nutrition at FSAI, contributed to the transnational panel of experts on food security and risk assessment, sharing expertise on nutritional risk assessment and regulation.
Her contributions alongside her colleague Una Walton provided valuable insight into the regulatory, nutritional and food safety considerations that need to be addressed as new marine food products are developed.
The Steering Committee concluded with a visit to AQUANOSTRA in Setúbal, providing partners with an opportunity to see innovation and activity within the marine sector first-hand before continuing on to Sesimbra.
Blue Circular Innovation Event
The three-day programme culminated on 24 September with the AQUAFISH 0.0 Public Event, held at the IPMA Auditorium in Algés under the theme “From Aquaculture to Sustainable Food Solutions.”
The event brought together project partners, experts and stakeholders to explore how innovation can support a more sustainable marine food sector.
Sessions throughout the day examined the valorisation of marine by-products, innovative food products, pilot projects, regulatory and administrative challenges, food security, economic feasibility, marketing and consumer acceptance.
The public event also featured contributions from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Úna Walton Senior Technical Executive, Regulatory Affairs at FSAI, spoke about EU food safety legislation and how it applies to new marine food products.
From underutilised marine resources to market success
The event also explored the potential to transform seafood co-products and underutilised marine species into marketable food products.
A series of roundtable discussions looked at consumer perceptions of aquaculture products, sustainability, quality expectations, communication strategies and building trust, as well as product development, consumer acceptance, pricing, distribution and market positioning.
A culinary showcase during the networking lunch further demonstrated the potential of underutilised seafood species, with innovative, healthy and sustainable recipes presented to participants.
Collaboration driving sustainable marine innovation
The three days in Lisbon demonstrated the collaborative approach at the heart of AQUAFISH 0.0, bringing together partners and experts from across Europe to address the practical challenges and opportunities surrounding sustainable marine food innovation.
From circular processes and product development to regulation, food safety, economic feasibility and consumer acceptance, the project is exploring the different elements needed to support the transition from underutilised marine resources to viable and sustainable food solutions.
For WestBIC, participation in AQUAFISH 0.0 provides an opportunity to contribute its expertise in innovation, business development and regulatory and administrative considerations, while working alongside European partners to explore new opportunities for the marine food sector.
