AquaFarm 2027 to focus on aquaculture competitiveness, technology and resilience

The 10th AquaFarm event will take place Feb. 17-18, 2027, in Pordenone and center on how European and Mediterranean aquaculture can adapt to tougher markets, climate pressure and new production models. Organizers say the conference will also showcase research, automation and cross-border projects shaping the sector’s next phase.

Why it matters: - Aquaculture is becoming a bigger part of the global food system as wild-capture fisheries face tighter limits on expansion. - The sector now has to grow while using less water, better technology and more resilient production models. - Europe’s aquaculture industry is being pushed to improve competitiveness and reduce environmental impact at the same time.

What happened: - AquaFarm 2027 will be held Feb. 17-18, 2027, in Pordenone, Italy. - The event is the 10th edition of the international trade fair and conference for fisheries and aquaculture. - The 2027 program will center on competition, technology and changes in production models across European and Mediterranean aquaculture. - Full programming and speakers will be announced in the coming months.

The details: - FAO’s 2026 State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report says global fisheries and aquaculture output reached a record 235 million tons in 2024. - Cultured aquatic animals passed 100 million tons for the first time, reaching 103 million tons. - Farmed aquatic animals now account for 53% of total aquatic production and more than 59% of food production. - With algae included, aquatic production reached 141 million tons and a value of $391 billion. - Since the late 1980s, almost all growth in global aquatic production has come from aquaculture, while capture fisheries have stayed largely flat. - Aquatic foods now support more than 600 million people worldwide, directly or indirectly. - The Mediterranean posted its hottest summer on record in 2026 in terms of sea-surface temperature. - In July, 79% of the basin was affected for at least one day by severe marine heatwaves. - The heat can raise thermal stress for farmed animals and increase health and productivity risks. - Broader pressures include climate change, ecosystem degradation, water availability and quality, animal health, feed sustainability, land use and economic shocks. - FAO says future aquaculture growth must rely on more sustainable and resilient models that use resources and technology more efficiently.

Between the lines: - The conference theme reflects a sector shift from pure output growth to efficiency, resilience and regulatory readiness. - Europe’s policy debate is moving toward four linked priorities: resilience and competitiveness, green transition, social acceptability and consumer information, and knowledge and innovation. - That framing suggests aquaculture is now being treated less as a niche food industry and more as strategic food infrastructure. - Climate stress is no longer a future risk for Mediterranean producers. It is already shaping operating conditions.

What's next: - The opening sessions will look at market trends, origin approval, import rules, inspections, incentives, training and simplification of regulations. - The agenda will also examine the role of national research in supporting aquaculture businesses. - Program topics will include water management, reducing environmental impacts, invasive species and adaptation capacity. - Technology sessions will cover automation, digitalization, sensors, remote sensing, water-quality monitoring, fish-behavior tracking, high-resolution weather forecasts and real-time systems for environmental threats and invasive species. - Workforce discussions will extend to plant design, veterinary work, feed formulation and data management. - AquaFarm 2027 will also host research and international cooperation projects. - MARINET, an Interreg Italy-Croatia project focused on innovation in Adriatic fish and shellfish farming, will hold its closing conference at AquaFarm. - MARINET discussions will include AI for disease prevention, biosecurity, integrated aquaculture, product quality and consumer trust. - The program will also include COOPMEC, the first initiative of Italian Cooperation under the Italy-ASEAN Development Partnership, focused on aquaculture and small-scale producers in ASEAN.