Prioritizes applied research in aquaculture
The ACUICONECTA project brings together the main stakeholders of the aquaculture research ecosystem from the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira in a cooperation network with African countries on the Atlantic coast to seek solutions to shared challenges such as generating and distributing quality food, improving processes for productive and resilient aquaculture, and promoting a sustainable socio-economic transition. ACUICONECTA prioritizes applied research in aquaculture to address real market needs; it aims to capitalize on previous experiences and results to develop solutions with high technological maturity. The validation of results in relevant environments and the transfer of knowledge to the private sector are cross-cutting objectives that drive research activities.
The project aims to create a stable, lasting, and synergistic scientific-technological hub that shares knowledge with neighboring countries and coordinates with other actors in the aquaculture sector in Macaronesia to promote the sector’s organic growth.
“Promoting the connection between research, industry, institutions, and society”
The planned actions encourage the joint use of equipment, technologies, and services by research centers and companies in the sector, as well as the implementation of spaces dedicated to the development of experimental aquaculture activities.
NOURISH
Promote scientific-technological innovation for improved, sustainable, and resilient aquaculture
- Activity 1.1: Improve the nutritional properties of aquaculture products for human consumption through physiological modulation.
- Activity 1.2: Develop and apply tools to support the production of safe and high-quality aquaculture food.
- Activity 1.3: Develop and validate production processes for new species of interest for human consumption and new aquaculture products.
INNOVATE
Promote healthy, safe, and varied nutrition through aquaculture production
- Activity 2.1: Develop and validate strategies to increase the resilience and sustainability of aquaculture processes by improving their water and carbon footprint.
- Activity 2.2: Design compact aquaculture facilities and develop novel technologies for monitoring aquaculture activities.
- Activity 2.3: Test systems for the combined production of aquaculture species at different trophic levels based on a circularity concept.
TRANSFORM
Promote a sustainable socio-economic transition through aquaculture
- Activity 3.1: Support the resolution of legislative/administrative bottlenecks that hinder the establishment and operation of aquaculture companies.
- Activity 3.2: Promote applied aquaculture research in experimental settings.
- Activity 3.3: Consolidate a scientific-technological ecosystem that fosters interaction among aquaculture sector actors and stakeholders.
