Ljubljana, Slovenia, host city for Aquaculture Europe 2026.
Photo: Adobe Stock
The 2026 edition of Aquaculture Europe (AE2026) will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 28 September to 1 October 2026, under the theme “Aquaculture in Global Change.”
Organised by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS), which in 2026 celebrates its 50th anniversary, the annual event will bring together researchers, producers, policy-makers and industry representatives to discuss how aquaculture can adapt to the impacts of climate change - including changes in water temperature, oxygen levels, salinity and sea level, as well as the growing risks posed by diseases, parasites, invasive species and algal blooms.
Such factors, the EAS points out, pose a significant risk to the aquaculture sector, disrupting production and affecting aquatic animal health and welfare, particularly for small and medium-sized operators with limited capacity to invest in mitigation or adaptation measures.
AE2026 will feature the latest research on species adaptation, resilience and breeding, alongside discussions on nutrition, health and welfare strategies. The programme will also explore diversification opportunities, including the development of new species and integrated systems that enhance environmental performance.
While Slovenia’s aquaculture output remains modest, organisers say the country’s plans to expand production and its strategic location at the crossroads of Central and Southern Europe - bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria - make it an ideal venue for a regional focus on both inland and marine aquaculture.
