The AIR Centre, in partnership with the Regional Government of the Azores and Escola do Mar dos Açores, will host the second edition of the Atlantic Aquaculture Forum (AAF) on 12-13 November 2025 in Terceira Island, Azores.

The event brings together leading aquaculture experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the Atlantic region to address one of today’s most pressing challenges: how to meet growing global demand for seafood while ensuring environmental sustainability and food security.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the AAF 2025 aims to advance sustainable aquaculture practices across Atlantic nations. With global seafood demand continuing to rise and capture fisheries reaching their ecological limits, aquaculture has become essential to feeding the world’s population. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (of the United Nations), aquaculture already provides more than half of the fish consumed worldwide, making the development of sustainable production models a global priority.

The Forum addresses a fundamental reality: the Atlantic Ocean connects diverse nations with shared interests in maritime resources. By facilitating dialogue and knowledge exchange, it seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and position the Atlantic as a leader in shaping the future of the blue economy.

AAF 2025 will feature interventions from distinguished speakers representing multiple continents and perspectives. Andreea Strachinescu from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will participate bringing the EU policy insights on sustainable blue economy development. The participation of experts from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Senegal, also reflect the event’s commitment to fostering cross-border knowledge exchange and collaborative solutions to shared challenges.

The two-day event will focus on three main thematic areas:

1. Fostering Aquaculture: New Species versus Established Species – exploring opportunities for species diversification while optimising production efficiency and environmental performance of traditional aquaculture species.
2. Building Foundations for Sustainable Aquaculture Models – examining approaches that balance ecological integrity with economic activity, particularly crucial in regions where coastal ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change and overexploitation.
3. From Spatial Planning to Operation – addressing the practical challenges of implementing marine spatial planning strategies that support both aquaculture development and ecosystem conservation.

The Forum’s focus aligns directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By promoting innovation-driven aquaculture, the AAF supports inclusive economic growth, diversification of coastal economies, and resilience of small-scale producers.

Beyond technical discussions, this Atlantic Aquaculture Forum provides a unique opportunity to integrate science, policy, and industry perspectives in support of resilient aquaculture systems that foster economic opportunity for coastal communities while safeguarding marine ecosystems.