Valencia is the host city of Aquaculture Europe 2025.
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One of the key events in European aquaculture will open its doors today in Valencia: Aquaculture Europe 2025, organised by the European Aquaculture Society.
Taking place from September 22–25, 2025, the conference is expected to attract over 2,500 participants to the Spanish city, bringing together scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and students from across Europe to discuss the future of sustainable aquaculture, and features a packed program of scientific sessions, poster presentations, an international trade exhibition, industry forums, student networking activities, and EU project workshops.
According to the organisers, the event, themed “Aquaculture for Everyone,” will explore ways to boost public trust in aquaculture and highlight its role not only in producing healthy, high-quality seafood but also in delivering vital ecosystem services.
This year’s keynote speakers bring a diverse range of expertise to the event. Dr. Carlos M. Duarte of KAUST in Saudi Arabia will open the conference with a talk on regenerative aquaculture, outlining how sustainable practices can help address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.
Dr. Elisabetta Giuffra from INRAE, France, will present groundbreaking research on genomic innovations and their potential to improve aquaculture species and farming practices. The third keynote, Joan Riera of market research firm Kantar Worldpanel in Spain, will analyze the latest seafood consumption trends across Europe, with particular attention to Spain’s leading role in the sector.
Valencia is considered a key hub for Spain’s marine aquaculture industry, with the region leading the country in the production of species like sea bream, meagre, and sea bass.
The region is also home to ThinkInAzul, a major research programme coordinated by CSIC and the University of Alicante, focusing on marine conservation and sustainable aquaculture, particularly in the context of climate change. Aquaculture Europe indicated this year's conference will also serve as a key platform to share ThinkInAzul's findings and highlight Valencia’s growing role in marine science and innovation.
