„ Actions for Climate Transition by developing Future Aquaculture Strategies and Technologies “
ActFast aims to identify, verify, and demonstrate adaptation and mitigation solutions for climate change tailored to European aquaculture while exploring opportunities to increase sustainable production. Targeting regions where aquaculture is deeply integrated into the socio-economic system, the project will map climate hazards in the Mediterranean Sea, deltas, inland waters of Central and Eastern Europe, and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, using historical data, forecasts, stakeholder insights, and satellite surveys. By integrating this comprehensive data analysis, the project will develop a user-friendly early warning system for the Mediterranean region, empowering aquaculture producers to proactively manage and mitigate climate risks. ActFast will encourage the development of rapid and replicable climate solutions for marine, transitional, and freshwater aquaculture, integrating climate prediction models with targeted solutions in four key regions.
ActFast seeks to design mitigation strategies that consider regional and species-specific characteristics, enhancing production efficiency, the health and welfare of farmed fish and shellfish struggling with the effects of climate change, while increasing and diversifying production in coastal and rural areas, promoting economic growth and community resilience, and minimizing environmental impacts and reducing the carbon footprint of European aquaculture.
As part of the project, feeding trials will be conducted under laboratory conditions to optimize nutrient and energy efficiency in conditions of high temperatures and low oxygen levels. Conditions matching summer and autumn temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea will be simulated in an automatic climate-controlled system. Fish will be fed 6 to 7 types of feed with varying macronutrient ratios (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), based on the concept of zero-waste feed, using circular raw materials such as by-products from fisheries and aquaculture and algal oil. Based on the obtained data, Cromaris will test the newly formulated feed.
Partner consortium: 31 partners
Project duration: 48 months
Project budget: 4.668.269,07 EUR