8 top aquaculture and seafood industry events in October 2024

October 2024 is packed with global aquaculture and blue economy events, offering professionals a platform to explore new technologies, sustainable practices, and market opportunities.

WeAreAquaculture has rounded up some of the key events coming up this month, from aquaculture-specific conferences like Cold Harvest in Canada and Aquaculture Vietnam, to global seafood industry events like Spain's Conexemar and the Responsible Seafood Summit taking place in Scotland, as well as broader discussions on the blue economy, from Italy to Kenya.

Conxemar is one of Europe’s largest international trade shows focused on the frozen seafood sector. The expo takes place in the city of Vigo in Galicia, one of the main fishing ports in Europe and home to some of the most prominent companies in the fish processing industry.

As a reference event for the industry in Europe, Conxemar serves as the meeting point for the entire processing sector: wholesalers, importers, exporters, transformers, manufacturers, distributors, cold storages, machinery, and auxiliary industry such as cooling, packaging, and plastics.

Last year's event attracted over 760 exhibitors and 26,500 professionals from more than 110 countries.

Website: Conxemar 2024

The Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit is a three day event that will seek to expand knowledge and opportunities that will foster the growth of the blue economy in Africa.

The event will focus in particular on sectors with the greatest possible employment effects for women and youth, such as renewable energies, eco-tourism, circular economy, and waste management including biomass, sustainable agriculture and agricultural processing, Blue Economy (BE) and sectors with “green business models” in traditional sectors, such as transport & logistics or construction.

Website: Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit

Cold Harvest is Canada’s premier aquaculture conference, dedicated to promoting and developing the business of aquaculture for the prosperity of our sector and communities.

This event, organized annually by the Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association, is a prime opportunity for farm management and service sector professionals to build their knowledge and foster new business connections. Participants can expect exciting and informative discussions on aquaculture innovation, technology, science, and service sector advancements.

This year's conference includes a special focus on the seaweed sector, with a Seaweed Culture Workshop on October 8.

Website: Cold Harvest

This one-stop exhibition will support the entire food value chain in the aquaculture, fisheries and seafood industries, and is expected to attract more than 100 exhibitors and 4,000 trade visitors during the three-day show.

Alongside the exhibition, information and expertise will be shared to guests, participants and visitors in a series of technical seminars led by renowned experts, association, government and academia, who will share their insights, experiences, ideas and priceless industry knowledge across a wide range of aquaculture industry perspectives.

Website: Aquaculture Vietnam

Organized by Norwegian research organization Nofima, this conference is for everyone who is interested in the production of smolt and post-smolt, whether it takes place in closed facilities on land or at sea.

Up to 300 participants from industry, government, students, researchers and investors from several countries attend this biannual event. The conference also offers an exhibition area where companies can showcase their products and services to a relevant audience.

Website: Smolt Production in the Future conference

The Blue Planet Economy Expoform returns with three days of presentations, workshops, exhibitions and business meetings, centered around six "Blue Economy" topics: blue food, energy, life protection, mobility and logistics, tourism, education and training.

The geo-economic focus of this year's Blue Planet Economy Expoforum is the Mediterranean region, made up of the countries bordering the two shores of the Mediterranean sea, including coastal African countries.

Website: Blue Planet Economy

As the annual meeting place for the global marine ingredients value chain, this conference will provide a dynamic overview of market and technical trends, discussing the diversifying sources and uses of marine ingredients, as well as fisheries management. With a flexible programme that includes a range of side events and networking opportunities, delegates will have unparalleled access to the marine ingredients industry and value chain.

Website: IFFO​

The Responsible Seafood Summit is the world’s only seafood event focused on bridging the differences and nurturing the commonalities between aquaculture and fisheries. The Summit features a carefully curated, forward-thinking program with over 70 speakers who identify emerging issues before they become challenges and develop a long-term strategy addressing those challenges.

Between 400 and 500 seafood professionals representing the entire value chain attend the Summit to be active participants in the development of a healthy, responsible seafood community.

Website: Responsible Seafood Summit