Aquaculture Network, a SUBMARINER Network Working Group is developed as “spin-off” of the InnoAquaTech project

In the WP4 of the InnoAquaTech project, an activity is dedicated to design a business plan of a South-Baltic Aquaculture Network that will deliver the InnoAquaTech Service Offer to SMEs beyond the course of the project (July 2019).  

In the last project partner meeting in Vejle, Denmark in May 2019, the InnoAquaTech project partners have joined forces to form the Aquaculture Network, a Working Group under the SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth EEIG. 

Together they will continue to address aquaculture practitioners, technology providers and investors as well as other R&D partners through the following activities:

• International Business study visits to aquaculture sites inside and outside the BSR on a demand-driven basis 
• Matchmaking events for aquaculture practitioners to find the right Baltic Sea Region partners to complete product development value chains 
• Summer schools, dedicated workshops and training courses on tailored topics on a demand-driven basis 
• Access to the InnoAquaTech Decision Support Tool, which addresses technological, environmental and economical dimensions of aquaculture facilities.
• Access to results from four InnoAquatech project pilots:
  • Feasibility report on innovative aquaponic systems production; combining lessons learnt from two pilots on aquaponic systems from Germany and Denmark 
  • Prototype and feasibility study on RAS shrimp production based on geo-thermal technology in Lithuania 
  • An evaluation of the potential of crustacean production in RAS in Pomerania, Poland 
• Identification of funding and investment opportunities and dedicated partner collaboration in proposal development 
• Connection to R&D, regional development actors as well as industry innovators 
• One-stop-shop for relevant information on sustainable aquaculture and offered services (incl. Accessible demonstration plants) 
• Cross-sectoral interlinkage to actors from other blue bioeconomy thematic fields, e.g. Blue biotechnology, mussel farming, algae, multi-uses of sea, beach cast, marine litter etc. 
• Consulting services on offer through the SUBMARINER members on a demand-driven basis; e.g. Assessment of business potential, technical/scientific support, product development, legal advice and financing.

The SUBMARINER Network portal is the one-stop-shop for the InnoAquaTech service offer as well as for information on actors, data and initiatives relevant to all thematic fields within the blue bio-economy in the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. 

The InnoAquaTech project outputs will be featured on the upcoming SUBMARINER Network portal also beyond the end of the project and maintained in collaboration with the responsible parties. End-users, e.g. SMEs, will have access to the outputs, although consulting services, intelligence, events can be offered under a fee. 

As a first step, by the end of July, the Lead Partner distributed a ‘Statement of Intent’ to all IAT project partners, requesting them to express their interest in joining the South Baltic Aquaculture Alliance – and including the request to act as a host facility for potential study visits.