Photo: Adobe Stock
A new online training platform aiming to address skills gaps in the aquaculture sector will be launched next month at an event in Faro, Portugal.
The AQUATECHinn 4.0 platform, developed as part of an EU Erasmus+ funded project of the same name, will offer free certified training for aquaculture professionals, students and technicians.
According to the project consortium, which consists of 14 universities, research centres, aquaculture associations and industry partners, the platform has been designed to support the sector’s transition to the use of digital technologies, automation and data-driven management in aquaculture production.
Its developers say the platform was created in response to gaps in existing training programmes, which they argue often focus on general production knowledge while giving less attention to newer technical and operational demands.
The curriculum will comprise three modules, amounting to 120 hours of learning, with courses covering technologies used in finfish and shellfish aquaculture, sustainability management, animal health and biosecurity, welfare, nutrition and reproduction. The platform will be fully online and self-paced, and will be available in English, French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Turkish.
The courses will include multimedia materials, interactive assessments, virtual reality elements, gamified learning tools and data-driven modules, which the organisers say aim to support practical learning in areas including automation, precision fish farming and sustainable production systems.
The initiative will be formally presented on 17 June at a final conference organised by the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) at the University of Algarve in Faro. The event will include a live demonstration of the platform, hands-on testing sessions and roundtable discussions involving stakeholders from the aquaculture sector.
Speakers will include Prof Elsa Cabrita of the University of Algarve, who will discuss the need for training to reflect industry requirements, and Isidro Blanquet of the Portuguese Aquaculture Association, who will address the challenges faced by producers and small-scale farmers.
“Many farms are in a transition phase, where technicians often work with a mix of traditional practices and modern technologies,” said Professor Cabrita, in a news release by the project consortium. “So adaptability is essential–you need to be comfortable with both hands-on aquaculture work and with digital tools like monitoring platforms or control systems.”
“Learning programmes need to be adapted to these new technologies, since young generations entering the aquaculture sector will need to integrate these skills," she added.
Satellite events are also planned in other countries: in Turkey, the platform will be launched on 3 June at the RTEU Faculty of Fisheries in Rize, while in Italy, it will be presented during the Italian Oyster Festival in La Spezia on 22 and 23 May. Further events will also take place in Spain and Greece, the organisers said.
