1st HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP

BioAqua’s 1st High-Performance Workshop: Pioneering Innovations in European Aquaculture

On April 17-18, 2024, the Agri-Food Technological Institute of Extremadura (INTAEX-CICYTEX) in Badajoz, Spain, became the hub for cutting-edge discussions in aquaculture as it hosted BioAqua’s inaugural High-Performance Workshop. This landmark event convened 29 experts from diverse countries, including Spain, Turkey, Italy, Israel, and Norway, to explore and advance key trends in the aquaculture sector.

“1st HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP”
BioAqua COST Action

Key Aspects of the Workshop • Venue and Organisers: The workshop took place at INTAEX-CICYTEX, a premier facility with specialized labs, research capabilities, and an experimental fish farm. The Program Committee, comprising experts like Miroslav Urosevic, Dijana Blazhekovikj-Dimovska, Orkid Coskuner-Weber, Theo Zacharis, Anna Toffann, and Eva García Muntión, meticulously designed the agenda. Claudia Fincias Antolín coordinated the “Call for Speakers,” ensuring a diverse and robust lineup of presentations.

Diverse Attendance: The workshop featured a balanced mix of nationalities, ages, and genders, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and networking opportunities. Participants hailed from Spain (35.7%), Turkey (21.4%), Italy (10.7%), Israel, Norway (7.1% each), and several other countries. The age distribution included 72.4% over 41 years and 27.6% under 41 years, with an equal gender split.

Day 1: Comprehensive Sessions and Hands-On Experience

Opening and Initial Presentations: Eva García Muntión inaugurated the workshop, setting the tone for a series of insightful presentations. The first session, chaired by Francesco Pascoli and Rajat Nag, delved into “Risks for Fish and Aquaculture,” highlighting the need for microbial and chemical risk assessments in aquaculture. This was followed by Izzet Burcin Saticioglu’s review of bacterial disease outbreaks in rainbow trout.

Innovative Treatments: The second block, led by Stojmir Stojanovski, covered “New Treatments for Fish Health.” Noteworthy talks included Öznur Diler’s research on essential oil nanoemulsions with antibacterial properties and Andrea Marsella’s discussion on the critical role of vaccination in fish aquaculture. Orkid Coskuner-Weber concluded the session with a compelling presentation on the application of computational approaches and big data analytics in improving fisheries and aquaculture.

Technical Tours and Collaborative Activities: Participants toured the state-of-the-art CICYTEX-INTAEX laboratories, witnessing firsthand the institute’s innovative work in food product transformation and aquaculture research. The day ended with a collaborative “Delphi Analysis” session to enhance knowledge of biomolecular solutions for aquaculture.

Day 2: Focused Discussions and Future Directions

Industrial Practice and Advanced Techniques: The second day began with presentations on “Industrial Practice,” including David Tejerina Parrado and María José Rodríguez Gómez’s study on improving tench cultivation and Bruno Navajas Preciado’s insights into the potential of fishery waste. Sofía Costa Lima’s talk on “Advanced Nanotechnology for Functional Nutrition in Aquaculture” emphasized the importance of sustainable aquaculture practices.

Aquaculture Centre Visit: Attendees visited the “Las Vegas del Guadiana” Aquaculture Centre, exploring its facilities and learning about its research on artificial reproduction techniques and larval feeding in native cyprinid species. This technical tour provided a deeper understanding of the practical applications of research in aquaculture.

Collaborative Book Project: The workshop concluded with a co-working session led by Miroslav Urosevic, Orkid Coskuner-Weber, and Eva García Muntión, focusing on drafting a book titled “Biomolecular Solutions for Aquaculture.” The book, structured into ten chapters, will encapsulate the event’s insights and serve as a valuable resource for the aquaculture community.

Looking Ahead

The success of BioAqua’s 1st High-Performance Workshop has significantly boosted interaction among members and increased participation in upcoming webinars. A strong, collaborative community has been formed, committed to pushing the boundaries of aquaculture innovation.

Stay tuned for more updates and join our efforts in advancing sustainable and innovative practices in aquaculture!

For more information, about our work visit our official website: BioAqua-COST