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Aquaculture

AQUAFARM 2025 JOINS NOVELFARM & ALGAEFARM

AQUAFARM 2025 JOINS NOVELFARM

AquaFarm 2025 joins NovelFarm & AlgaeFarm, for a strengthened synergy in the interests of innovation in sustainable food production. The 8th edition of the exhibition is scheduled February 12-13, 2025 at Pordenone Exhibition Centre

AquaFarm, the international conference & trade show on aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry announces the dates for the 8th edition and joins forces with NovelFarm & AlgaeFarm, the exhibitions dedicated to controlled environment agriculture and cultivation of algae and other microorganisms. The events are scheduled February, 12-13 at Pordenone Exhibition Centre.

The decision to bring together the three events dedicated to innovation in sustainable food production comes from the increasingly strong synergy between the three sectors. Aquaculture and hydroponics are closely intertwined in aquaponics, the cultivation and breeding in the same controlled environment of fish and plants, but also molluscs, algae and mushrooms, building artificial ecosystems where the waste of one species constitutes the nourishment of another, with high food productivity. Fish farming and algaculture are also increasingly becoming synergetic, just consider the importance of microalgae in the production of fish feed with zero impact on ocean resources.

The common thread linking the three events is environmental change. For aquaculture and shellfish farming, the leading players of AquaFarm, the modification of aquatic habitats due to climate, man-made pollution and the intrusion of new species brought in by sea trade have already had major impacts, such as the very serious losses in shellfish production, especially clams, due to the blue crab. Farmers, suppliers and research centres are engaged in a unanimous effort to find mitigations to these phenomena.

Controlled environment cultivation has one of its main raisons d’être and its main economic strength in its reduced impact on the natural system. It is not just a matter of saving water and nutrients and eliminating the use of agrochemicals. By disconnecting cultivation from the soil, a farm can be installed close to places of consumption, reducing the impact of the logistics chain, resulting in less pollution, energy consumption and congestion. It is also worth remembering that the stage of the food chain where there is the most loss and waste is transport. Less transport therefore equals less waste of food.

Cultivated algae are a virtuous response to environmental changes as well, as they allow proteins, fats (such as Omega-3) and active ingredients to be produced directly, without the need to obtain them from animal or plant sources higher up the trophic chain, with less impact and greater efficiency.

Not everything will turn out to be related to climate in the upcoming edition. Aquaculture and shellfish farming guarantee good, healthy, more controlled and short-chain food when produced in Italy. Products from vertical farms are better in every aspect than comparables from traditional techniques: no residues, constant and perfectly controlled organoleptic characteristics, no contaminants such as nickel and other heavy metals. Microalgae make active ingredients such as antioxidants and useful materials for the pharmaceutical, food and fine chemicals industries available at lower costs than traditional sources.

Climate, research and innovation will be discussed in Pordenone, but also self-production of energy in livestock farms including farms with controlled environment, animal welfare, technologies and animal/human nutrition, reducing the use of plastics. The packed conference programme will flank an international exhibition area. Another important theme will be the use of artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics in numerous fields, from breeding and crop management to genetic improvement. Also confirmed the area dedicated to universities with the possibility of exhibiting scientific posters and the show cooking Arena, where national production excellence can be tasted

AquaFarm is an international conference and trade show on aquaculture and sustainable fishing industry, organised by Pordenone Fiere in cooperation with API – Italian Fish Farmers Association, AMA – Mediterranean Aquaculture Association and Studio Comelli – Conferences&Communication which takes care of the conference programme and the press office. The event was first held in 2017 and in 2020 it was joined by NovelFarm, the international conference and trade show on innovations in agriculture, indoor and vertical farming. Lastly, in 2022 AlgaeFarm was born and it represents the only Italian event dedicated to the cultivation of microalgae and other microorganisms, combining together research and industries.

Attendance is free of charge, register online at www.aquafarmexpo.it and www.novelfarmexpo.it

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