BLUEAQUAEDU – Newsletter #2
We’re delighted to share with you the latest updates from the BlueAquaEdu project and there’s already plenty to celebrate. Now halfway through the project, we’ve made great progress on several fronts, including :
- Our Summer Schools and the involvement of students;
- Our Workshops covering key topics in the aquatic value chain;
- The publication of a dedicated policy brief;
- The ongoing development of our app “Serious game”
We’re delighted to share the latest news from the project with you.
Happy reading!
The BlueAquaEdu Team🌊
🎓 Summer School Highlights
Since the launch of our project, three Summer Schools have already been held.This edition focuses on Aquaculture Systems & Trends : global insights, diverse systems, and sustainable practicesable practices
In Greece
8-15/05/2025 Focus on Aquaculture (cage farming) and post-harvesting value chain. Visit of a tuna farm, diving with tunas.
In France
8-11/07/2025 Focus on valorization of the processing by-products. Visit to a company that valorizes shell co-products.
In Portugal
9-12/09/2025 A 4-day hands-on program covering fish health, RAS technology, sustainability, and market opportunities.
Upcoming summer schools !
Summer School 4 (Greece) 13-16/10/2025
Aquaculture (cage farming) and post-havesting value chain
Workshops !
In France
A workshop was organized (July 7, 2025) :
- The focus was on the post-harvest value chain, addressing quality control, reuse of by-products and waste, and the role of certification in sustainable farming.
In Portugal
Two workshops were organized (July 15, 2025 & September 4, 2025) :
- The focus was on their fundamental principles of RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) and all the important components to be taken into account, as well as the regulatory framework governing these systems and the challenges and opportunities they present at the technical, economic, environmental, social, and regulatory levels.
In Greece
A workshop was organized (May 12, 2025) :
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The focus on cage farming, addressing its importance in Europe, Mediterranean species, technical and logistical aspects (feeding, health, harvesting), and the environmental conditions needed for sustainable practices.
The policy Brief
he policy paper highlights key challenges in aquaculture education, such as the gap between curricula and industry needs, limited focus on practical skills, low career visibility, poor working conditions, and lack of diversity. To address these issues, it recommends developing hands-on, eco-focused training, improving collaboration between industry and education, implementing a European credit system, and promoting inclusive learning formats. These measures aim to build a skilled, sustainable, and diverse workforce aligned with EU sustainability goals.
The Serious Game
The BlueAquaEdu serious game is an interactive simulation where players manage a virtual aquaculture farm, balancing environmental, economic, and health-related factors. Designed to raise awareness of sustainable aquaculture. Aimed at students and young people, it raises awareness of aquaculture challenges and encourages sustainable practices through interactive learning.
The first version is being tested during Summer Schools and will be available soon.
The BlueAquaEdu Portal is an online platform that is designed to provide access to the BlueAquaEdu serious game andto interactive educational material as well as information about theBlueAquaEdu Summer Schools and other activities and the BlueAquaEdu courses on blue economy and sustainable aquaculture. The portal is suitable for students, educators, and professionals interested in ocean-related topics. Users can explore a range of materials related to sustainable fish production, marine science, and career opportunities in the blue sector.
The Summer School programme is already well underway, with several sessions successfully completed — but there’s more to come! In total, five Summer Schools will take place between May and October 2025, across three different countries, each focusing on a specific theme.
These Summer Schools offer high-quality, hands-on training in aquaculture, with a strong focus on sustainability and industry needs. Participants gain practical experience, explore career paths, and visit aquaculture companies to deepen their understanding of the sector.
Upcoming events
Workshop on hatcheries
07 October 2025
This event will be an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of aquaculture hatcheries, from broodstock selection and spawning techniques to juvenile transfer, RAS basics, health management, and the latest innovations in hatchery technology.
22-23 September 2025, Valencia, Spain
This event will be an opportunity to demonstrate the serious game and the e-platform to the aquaculture world.
