NewTechAqua · Project

Smart Aquaculture Tech: AI, Biosensors and Better Feed for Profitable Fish Farming

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Imagine fish farming getting the same tech upgrade that agriculture got a decade ago. This project built smarter feeds that keep fish healthier, AI systems that spot disease outbreaks before they wipe out a farm, and biosensors that detect dangerous bacteria in shellfish in real time. They also cracked the code on breeding better-performing fish species and turning seafood waste into valuable products — all tested across salmon, trout, seabass, oysters, and even newer species like amberjack and sole.

By the numbers

4.5 million tons

Annual sustainable aquaculture production target for EU

Partners in the development consortium

Countries where solutions were developed and tested

Innovative aquafeed formulations validated (pro-health, organic, zero-waste)

Solution categories covering the full aquaculture value chain

Industry partners involved in validation

Total deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

European aquaculture needs to grow to 4.5 million tons annually but faces disease outbreaks that devastate stock, rising feed costs, food safety compliance risks from bacteria like Vibrio, and limited genetic improvement of farmed species. Most fish farms still rely on reactive approaches — treating problems after they appear rather than preventing them with smart monitoring and better inputs.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered biosensor prototypes for real-time detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish farms, AI epidemiological models for parasite outbreak prediction, 3 validated aquafeed formulations (pro-health, organic, zero-waste), breeding programmes for improved fish and mollusc performance, and sustainable by-product processing techniques — totalling 40 deliverables across 6 technology categories.

Audience

Who needs this

Fish farm operators (salmon, trout, seabass, seabream) looking to reduce disease lossesShellfish producers needing faster food safety testing for Vibrio contaminationAquafeed manufacturers wanting to develop organic or zero-waste product linesSeafood processors seeking to monetize by-products and reduce wasteAquaculture technology companies building smart farming and monitoring systems

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aquaculture & Fish Farming

any

Target: Fish farm operators growing salmon, trout, seabass or seabream

If you are a fish farm operator dealing with unpredictable disease outbreaks and rising feed costs — this project developed AI epidemiological models that enhance parasite outbreak control on Norwegian and Mediterranean farms. They also validated 3 innovative aquafeed formulations (pro-health, organic, zero-waste) that can reduce mortality and feed waste. With 32 partners across 10 countries testing these solutions, the tech has been validated across multiple real farming environments.

Shellfish & Mollusc Farming

SME

Target: Oyster and mussel farms needing food safety compliance

If you are a shellfish producer worried about Vibrio contamination shutting down your harvest — this project built and demonstrated biosensor prototypes that detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus directly in shellfish farming systems. Instead of sending samples to a lab and waiting days, you get on-site results. The biosensors were validated with real samples from operating farms, giving you a faster path to food safety compliance.

Seafood Processing & By-products

mid-size

Target: Seafood processors looking to reduce waste and create new product lines

If you are a seafood processor throwing away 30-40% of your raw material as by-products — this project validated sustainable food processing techniques specifically designed to turn aquaculture by-products into high-quality food products. Combined with new microalgae cultivation methods, this opens revenue streams from what is currently waste. The consortium included 15 industry partners who helped shape these solutions for real market conditions.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement these aquaculture technologies?

The project data does not include specific pricing or licensing costs for the developed technologies. Since 15 industry partners and 7 SMEs participated in development and validation, commercial pricing models likely exist. Contact the consortium for current licensing or technology transfer terms.

Can these solutions work at industrial scale?

Yes — the project was funded as an Innovation Action (IA), which requires near-market validation. Solutions were tested across conventional species (Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, seabass, seabream) and emerging species across farms in Norway and the Mediterranean. The 32-partner consortium spanning 10 countries ensured testing across diverse industrial conditions.

What is the IP situation and how can I license these technologies?

With 40 deliverables produced by 32 partners, IP is distributed across the consortium. The project included a dedicated exploitation strategy (WP7) specifically designed for market uptake. The coordinator at University of Bologna can direct you to the right IP holder for each specific technology.

Are the biosensors ready for regulatory use in food safety monitoring?

The biosensor prototypes for detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus were demonstrated in real shellfish farming environments. Based on available project data, they have been validated with actual farm samples but may still need regulatory certification for official food safety compliance in your jurisdiction.

How quickly could we deploy the AI disease monitoring system?

The AI epidemiological models were developed and validated for parasite outbreak control in Norwegian and Mediterranean farm settings. The project ran from 2020 to 2023 and is now closed, meaning the technology has reached its final validated state. Integration timelines would depend on your existing farm monitoring infrastructure.

Do the new aquafeeds work with our existing feeding systems?

The project developed 3 types of innovative aquafeeds: pro-health, organic, and zero-waste formulations. These were tested on conventional species like salmon, trout, seabass and seabream. Based on available project data, the feeds were designed for practical farm use, but compatibility with specific feeding equipment should be confirmed with the feed technology partners in the consortium.

Is there training or technical support available?

The project explicitly included training activities and a communication and knowledge transfer work package (WP8). With the project now closed, ongoing support would depend on individual consortium partners, several of whom are industry companies positioned to offer commercial support.

Consortium

Who built it

The NewTechAqua consortium is unusually strong for business adoption: 15 out of 32 partners are from industry (47%), with 7 SMEs in the mix. This means nearly half the development team already operates in the aquaculture market and shaped these tools for real commercial use. The geographic spread across 10 countries — from Norway's salmon industry to Mediterranean seabass and seabream farms — means the solutions have been stress-tested in Europe's most important aquaculture regions. With 5 research organizations and 7 universities providing the science backbone, this is a well-balanced consortium where industry pull and research push met in the middle. The coordinator, University of Bologna, is one of Italy's top research institutions with strong industry transfer track record.

ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNACoordinator · IT
YPOURGEIO GEORGIAS, AGROTIKIS ANAPTYXIS KAI PERIVALLONTOSparticipant · CY
VETERINAERINSTITUTTETthirdparty · NO
FEDERATION EUROPEENNE DES PRODUCTEURS AQUACOLES ASSOCIATIONparticipant · FR
UNIVERSIDAD DE LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIAparticipant · ES
HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCHparticipant · EL
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza / International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studiesthirdparty · ES
NOFIMA ASparticipant · NO
IFAU APSthirdparty · DK
UNIVERSITA CA' FOSCARI VENEZIAparticipant · IT
THE SEAFOOD INNOVATION CLUSTER ASparticipant · NO
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEparticipant · IT
GALAXIDI MARINE FARM AEparticipant · EL
A.I.A. AGRICOLA ITALIANA ALIMENTARE S.P.A.participant · IT
INSTITUT DE RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIESparticipant · ES
INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLOITATION DE LA MERparticipant · FR
CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE HAUTES ETUDES AGRONOMIQUES MEDITERRANEENNESparticipant · FR
CENTRO INTERNAZIONALE DI ALTISTUDI AGRONOMICI MEDITERRANEIthirdparty · IT
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI BARI ALDO MOROparticipant · IT
SYNDICAT DES SELECTIONNEURS AVICOLES ET AQUACOLES FRANCAISparticipant · FR
INVESTORNET-GATE2GROWTH APSthirdparty · DK
GREENOVATE ! EUROPEparticipant · BE

How to reach the team

ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA (Italy) — reach via university technology transfer office or project website contact form

Order a report on this consortium See ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want a tailored brief on which NewTechAqua technology fits your aquaculture operation? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the right consortium partner.

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