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On 25 September, the Port of Leixões, in Matosinhos, hosted the final event of the Blue Bioeconomy Pact, a representative showcase of the results achieved under the Blue Bioeconomy Project (PBA) led by Inovamar.

The meeting brought together 83 entities and the 11 verticals that comprise the Pact, providing a privileged space for networking and knowledge sharing among companies, research centres, and decision-makers.

The morning began with a Welcome Coffee, which encouraged initial contacts between participants. This was followed by the Opening Conference, during which José Soares dos Santos, Chairman of the General and Supervisory Board of Inovamar, delivered a speech reinforcing the strategic vision for the future of the blue bioeconomy. The morning ended with the PBA Round Table, dedicated to discussing the challenges and opportunities of the blue economy in Portugal.

The programme continued with a buffet lunch, where guests were able to taste seaweed-based food products provided by sub-projects 4a and 4b: seaweed pastries from Colab4Food, spirulina burgers from GreenCoLab and a digestive health smoothie with spirulina from Sumol+Compal.

During the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to visit 11 stands representing the Pact’s verticals, where the innovative products, processes, and services developed within the scope of the ongoing projects were presented. This provided an opportunity to learn about solutions that demonstrate the transformative potential of the blue bioeconomy in Portugal, with a focus on WP5 (Algae Vertical), led by Necton, which presented ten sub-projects dedicated to innovation in the algae sector.

Vertical Algas had a remarkable presence at Aquaculture Europe 2025, held in Valencia from 22 to 25 September. The event drew around 4,000 participants, comprising scientists, industry professionals, students, and strategic partners, making it a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and experience sharing.

Several co-promoters presented the latest results of their research through scientific posters and oral presentations, highlighting the role of research and innovation in advancing aquaculture:

Posters

• Impact of transport on Laminaria ochroleuca seedlings for seaweed farming, Maria Francisca Sá, CIIMAR

• First steps on Saccorhiza polyschides cultivation in Portugal’s southern coast, M. A. P. Silva, S2AQUA

• Pilot-scale cultivation and growth assessment of a random mutagenesis-derived Phaeodactylum tricornutum strain for aquaculture applications, G. Bastos, Necton

• Optimising microdiet performance for fish larvae: effects of binders and technical additives in fluidised bed agglomeration, André Santos, SPAROS

• Dietary inclusion of Euglena gracilis bioactive compounds can modulate the European seabass immune responses following two different infection models, Benjamin Costas, CIIMAR

• Dietary microalgae extracts as functional ingredients in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juvenile diets: effects on immunity and disease resistance, André Cunha, ICBAS

• Different combinations of marine algae biorefined extracts as boosting strategies to improve European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles immunity, Paulo Santos, ICBAS

• Size-specific gut mucosal responses to feed additives in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), Rute C. Félix, GreenCoLab

• Stage-specific responses of Senegalese sole postlarvae to micro- and macroalgae dietary blends, C. Freitas de Oliveira, CCMAR

Oral presentations

• Enhancing sole larval robustness with algae-based solutions: insights into growth, redox status and gut integrity, Aqsa Sharif, CCMAR

• Potential and challenges of algae-based functional diets for enhancing seabream resilience, Rita Teodósio, CCMAR

These works reflect the commitment, rigour, and creativity of the research teams, while showcasing the tremendous potential of algae and microalgae in driving sustainable aquaculture. It was a true privilege to share this knowledge with scientists, industry partners, and all participants, in an inspiring and collaborative environment that reinforces the sector’s role in building a more sustainable blue future.

Last September, GreenCoLab, as part of SP7 – Extended Dissemination, and SP4b, represented by Food Engineer Kricelle Deamici, leader of GreenCoLab’s Food and Nutrition Working Group, organised another culinary workshop dedicated to seaweed, in collaboration with chef Leonel Pereira, a GreenCoLab partner. Ten new cooking enthusiasts took part in this session, where they had the opportunity to learn how to incorporate seaweed into their everyday recipes.

More than just a gastronomic experience, these workshops play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness through education. By exploring the potential of seaweed as a versatile, nutritious and innovative ingredient, participants are also made aware of the positive impact that consuming sustainable marine resources can have on preserving ecosystems and adopting more responsible lifestyles.

In this way, we promote not only culinary innovation but also the transformation of eating habits, bringing the public closer to science and sustainability through practical experiences.

Science also played a prominent role at the 10th edition of the Festival F in Faro. GreenCoLab was present at the Fagar Kids F space, introducing children to the fascinating world of algae through a series of interactive and educational activities.

At a festival renowned for its cultural and musical significance, we aimed to demonstrate that science can and should also be present, bringing different worlds together and reinforcing the idea that culture is also a form of knowledge.

Throughout the evening, children aged 6 to 10 participated in practical and creative experiences, ranging from observing algae under a microscope to small challenges about their role in our daily lives. Guided by our team of researchers, they immersed themselves in a universe that is both scientific and playful, learning how algae, micro and macro, are not only an essential part of the oceans, but can also contribute to more sustainable and innovative solutions. They built an algae marker that they took home with them.

 

In addition to the experience at the festival, each participant took home the illustrated book “O Verde do Azul: À Descoberta das Algas” (The Green of Blue: Discovering Algae), published in partnership with PROALGA – Portuguese Association of Algae Producers, allowing them to continue this discovery at home with their families.

The commitment is to educate younger generations, sparking their interest in science and the central role of algae in building a greener and more sustainable future.

Five Finnish students, winners of the national Spring competition in Finland, visited MARE  (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre) and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL) on June 17. Accompanied by Katariina Tonttila from the Children and Youth Foundation, the young students presented an innovative idea: ecological reflectors crafted from fish skin and scales, aimed at enhancing road safety in their country, where darkness prevails for many months of the year.

During the visit, the students explored the Algoteca – Alisu Laboratory, a living collection of microalgae coordinated by Ana Amorim, assistant professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and curator of this laboratory. They had the opportunity to observe marine phytoplankton under the microscope and to explore the potential of algae in areas such as food, cosmetics, and biotechnology.
This visit fostered an exchange of experiences and demonstrated how the connection between youth, innovation, and research can pave the way for sustainable solutions with real impact.