Dates
26th November 2025
Location
Rhodes Island, Greece
Organizers
BlueAquaEdu European Program
As part of its commitment to education, innovation, and sustainability, the BlueAquaEdu project organised the Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Mediterranean Aquaculture competition — a European-wide challenge designed for undergraduate students eager to explore the future of modern aquaculture.
This competition aimed to:
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Foster innovative thinking among undergraduate students
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Promote scientific excellence and collaboration at the European level
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Raise awareness of sustainable aquaculture practices
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Build a strong network of future professionals within the blue economy
By taking part, students gained hands-on exposure to key challenges and opportunities facing the aquaculture sector today, including sustainable production models, technological innovation, and emerging career paths in modern aquaculture.
1– A European Final in Rhodes
The finals of the competition took place on the island of Rhodes from 20 to 23 November, bringing together talented student teams from across Europe. Over several days, participants presented their projects, exchanged ideas, and engaged in discussions around sustainability, innovation, and the future of Mediterranean aquaculture.
The event was not only a competition, but also a moment of learning, networking, and inspiration — highlighting the power of education and collaboration to drive meaningful change in the sector.
2 – A Winning Project Looking to the Future
The winning project, “Open-Water Finfish Farming: Sustainability, Technology, and Environmental Aspects of Offshore Cage Farming”, stood out for its visionary approach and strong strategic foundation.
Presented by the Kazila Team, the project focused on the future of offshore aquaculture through the development of a smart, autonomous system for open-sea fish farming. By addressing environmental impacts, technological innovation, and long-term sustainability, the team demonstrated a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing the sector.
The subject was ambitious, and the delivery was marked by clarity, structure, and real strategic depth — making it a compelling contribution to the discussion on offshore aquaculture.
3 – Inspiring the Next Generation
Seeing young people tackle complex topics such as the blue economy, IoT, climate resilience, and sustainable aquaculture, and transform them into concrete and actionable ideas, is truly inspiring.
It reinforces the importance of education, collaboration, and hands-on learning experiences in shaping the future of aquaculture and ensuring a more sustainable and resilient food system.
A big congratulations to all participating teams for their professionalism, creativity, and hard work throughout the competition. Their engagement and innovative spirit perfectly reflect the ambitions of the BlueAquaEdu project: empowering the next generation of professionals to build the future of sustainable aquaculture.