21st International Institute of Fisheries Economics & Trade (IIFET) ConferenceAquatic Food Systems in the Blue Economy
2024-07-15 - 2024-07-19 | Penang, Malaysia
The 21st International Institute of Fisheries Economics & Trade (IIFET) Conference will take place from July 15-19, 2024, in the vibrant city of Penang, Malaysia. Organized by WorldFish and the Department of Fisheries, Malaysia, this biennial event marks a significant milestone as it returns to Asia for the first time since 2008.
The IIFET Conference acts as a premier platform for stakeholders in seafood trade, aquaculture, and fisheries management to exchange insights, research findings, and innovative solutions. Participants include a wide range of stakeholders such as natural resource economists, interdisciplinary researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and more, from diverse fishing regions worldwide.
With this year’s theme “Aquatic Food Systems in the Blue Economy,” the conference will enable attendees to delve into critical issues such as food systems sustainability, the rise of the blue economy, climate crisis and the impacts of COVID-19. As we strive towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – ‘Life Under Water’, this conference aims to foster discussions and collaborations to advance sustainability in aquatic food systems.
Novel Thematic Sessions include unique sub-themes tailored to provide fresh perspectives and insights:

The Economics of Food and Nutrition Security
Ocean and Inland Water – Distributional Justice
Governing for Resilience in Aquatic Food Systems
Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Trade Futures

Registration for the IIFET 2024 Conference can be done directly here.
For more information, visit the IIFET Conference Website.

AQUA 2024: Blue Food, Green Solutions
2024-08-26 - 2024-08-30 | Copenhagen, Denmark
Co-hosted by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), this year’s edition of AQUA2024 will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark.
AQUA 2024 is a premier gathering dedicated to the future of aquatic food and its pivotal role in global food systems. It is perceived as a platform where worldwide aquaculture experts can exchange ideas and collaborate.
In 2024, the spotlight will be on ‘Blue Food, Green Solutions’, as transforming food systems and enhancing food safety and security remain essential to mitigate climate impacts. Especially since aquaculture has proven its resilience and has been increasingly recognized for its environmental responsibility, low footprint and high efficiency in protein production. The conference will focus on discussing financially viable solutions and the sustainable use of resources to ensure a measurable and limited environmental footprint.
Key Highlights:

Scientific conference: explore the latest research and innovations in aquaculture.
Trade exhibition: discover innovative technologies and products in the industry.
Industry forums & workshops: engage with experts and gain insights into best practices and future trends.
Student events & receptions: network with peers and professionals in a dynamic setting.

Register now and have a look at the scheduled sessions here.

SEA2SEE participating in the “Traceability and Verification in Food Supply Chains” Webinar
2025-02-21 10:30 - 12:00 UTC
Date: Friday, 21 February Registration link:2025
Time: 10:30-12:00 CET
Place: Online
We are eager to invite you to join us in the Food Traceability and Verification in Food Supply Chains: The Technological perspective webinar organized by the Food Traceability and Verification Cluster. Representatives from 8 EU-funded projects will showcase cutting-edge technologies enhancing traceability and verification in food supply chains. The event is an opportunity to engage directly with experts during the Q&A session. SEA2SEE project wll be represented by Sébastien Gaïde from Tilkal, who develop the blockchain based traceability platform for the seafood value chain.
Webinar registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwZJEchid8GdTl8EHbxrvWvbO8m8GjgthJb3bZIbb5oPGWog/viewform
Agenda
10:30 – 10:35 | Introduction
10:35 – 11:30 | Presentations from:
Alliance
CUES
FishEUTrust
SEA2SEE
THEROS
TITAN
WATSON
TealHelix
11:30 – 12:00 | Audience Q&A
Can’t attend live? The session will be recorded and uploaded to the YouTube channels of the participating projects.
Stay tuned!

Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference
2025-02-26 - 2025-02-27 | Qingdao, China
The 1st Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference: join us to build a better ocean for better cities!
Co-hosted by the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO), the 1st Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference will take place in Qingdao, China, on February 26 and 27, 2025.
Building on the momentum and outcomes of the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, this event will be a key milestone in advancing the newly launched “Cities with the Ocean” Platform and will serve as a significant step towards the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.
Over the course of two days, this in-person conference will bring together 150-200 stakeholders from coastal cities and territories around the world. The event will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, highlight best practices, and promote collaboration and partnerships to address the challenges and opportunities of using ocean science for sustainable development.
About the First International Ocean Decade Coastal Cities Conference:
Coastal cities are among the world’s fastest-growing urban areas: being at the intersection of opportunity and risk, they stand to benefit greatly from the growth of a sustainable ocean economy while also facing increasing threats from climate change, ocean pollution, and other environmental challenges. The Ocean Decade offers a unique opportunity to leverage ocean science and knowledge to address these issues, strengthen the resilience of coastal cities to global change, and improve the living conditions and well-being of their residents.
To connect key stakeholders from urban coastal areas with the Ocean Decade community, the Cities with the Ocean Platform was launched at the 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference, alongside the announcement that Qingdao Municipality would host the inaugural Ocean Decade Coastal Cities Conference in 2025.
Being the first Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference, and the first major event for the coastal cities’ community, the conference will aim to unite stakeholders and provide a platform for collaboration and exchange, aiming to:

Encourage participation from more coastal cities, ports, Decade Actions, and relevant stakeholders, enabling them to support the platform and contribute to its growth and development.
Promote knowledge exchange and the sharing of experiences on key issues related to the Ocean Decade Challenges, such as climate change, marine pollution, marine biodiversity, the blue economy, and ocean literacy. This will help improve the science-policy-society relationship at local, national, and global levels.
Highlight best practices in adaptive governance and resource management tools to assess and reduce the vulnerabilities and risks faced by coastal cities.
Stimulate new partnerships and flagship initiatives, while building on existing collaborations to create synergies that strengthen coastal city resilience and enhance their ability to adapt to evolving challenges.
Foster consensus among coastal cities, ports, and stakeholders to strengthen partnerships focused on co-designing and implementing science-based solutions and best practices, with a final declaration as a key outcome of the conference.
Encourage global dialogue to advance the sustainable development of coastal cities, contributing to important discussions on ocean and coastal city sustainability at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.

Learn more about the conference and registration.

European Ocean Days 2025
2025-03-03 - 2025-03-07 | Brussels, Belgium
Bringing the blue to the spotlight
The European Ocean Days 2025 is a week-long event dedicated to key maritime topics, featuring a series of in-depth and interconnected sessions in several themes. This year’s discussions will focus on core topics such as sustainable blue economy, fisheries science, ocean restoration, blue investments, and stakeholder engagement, with a particular emphasis on youth participation.
The gathering fosters collaboration across diverse maritime sectors, providing a platform to exchange ideas, address challenges, and explore innovative solutions for sustainable ocean management. Furthermore, the European Ocean Days also offers a great opportunity to engage with key stakeholders shaping EU ocean policies – the 2025 edition will contribute to the development of the European Ocean Pact, a comprehensive EU framework for future ocean governance. Participants will have access to discussions on funding and investment opportunities in the blue economy, gaining insights from experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and youth representatives.
Event Highlights:
Monday, March 3
– Young Voices for the Ocean – featuring the first Youth Policy Dialogue with the Commissioner.
Tuesday, March 4
– Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters Forum – a central event, accompanied by mission-related sessions throughout the week.
Wednesday, March 5
– Fisheries and Oceans Dialogues – contributing to the development of the European Ocean Pact (morning and afternoon).
– EIT Water Info Day – presenting funding opportunities in the water sector (morning).
– BlueInvest Day – connecting investors and entrepreneurs for a sustainable blue economy (afternoon, continuing Thursday, March 6).
Friday, March 7
– Marine Knowledge for the Ocean Pact – exploring the latest scientific insights for ocean policy (morning).
– Fisheries and Ocean Science Seminar – examining research and innovation for sustainable fisheries (afternoon).
More information about the programme here.
Register here.

Seafood Traceability New Legal Framework Webinar
2025-04-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Online
As the EU gears up for significant changes in seafood traceability regulations, businesses, policymakers and stakeholders across the value chain must prepare for the new compliance requirements and industry shifts. A Cluster of 8 EU funded projects on food traceability and authenticity have joined forces to launch an engaging and interactive webinar that brings together policy representatives and industry experts to discuss the evolving new legal framework, its impact on the seafood sector and the associated challenges and opportunities it brings.
Discussion Topics:
✅ Key regulatory changes coming in 2026 and 2029✅ Practical insights on labeling and traceability implementation from the industry✅ New regulations implementation – challenges & coordination across EU states✅ Stakeholder feedback & concerns – compliance, traceability systems interoperability, data access and ownership, market impact✅ Q&A & discussion – share your views, ask your questions
Learn more about the Agenda and the expert speakers here.
Do not miss this opportunity to ask your questions or share your vision! Secure your spot by registering today!

Aquaculture Europe 2025
2025-09-22 - 2025-09-25 | Valencia, Spain
Aquaculture Europe 2025 (AE2025) is set to take place in Valencia, Spain, from 22 to 25 September 2025, bringing together Europe’s leading researchers, innovators, industry professionals, and policymakers in one of the continent’s most vibrant coastal cities.
Hosted in the Palacio de Congresos de Valencia, AE2025 promises an inspiring and forward-looking programme that highlights aquaculture’s vital role in building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food system — in line with the EU’s Green Deal and Blue Economy objectives.
With its diversity of species, production systems, and market approaches, aquaculture stands at the crossroads of food security, environmental stewardship, and economic development. AE2025 will showcase how this essential sector can serve everyone — supporting healthy oceans, thriving communities, and competitive value chains across Europe.
The event will explore how aquaculture:

Aligns with coastal sustainability and marine ecosystem protection.
Supports innovation in feed and species diversification.
Contributes to rural development and local employment.
Enhances skills and lifelong learning in blue careers.
Builds social licence through transparency and public engagement.

AE2025 will feature:

A rich scientific programme with oral and poster presentations across all major disciplines and species.
An international trade exhibition and industry forum.
Student-led sessions, workshops, and networking activities.
Satellite events and updates on EU-funded research, including Horizon Europe projects.

The conference will open in a world-class auditorium accommodating over 1,400 participants and will provide ample opportunities for networking in beautifully designed, interconnected spaces.
All stakeholders involved in aquaculture and blue innovation — researchers, SMEs, NGOs, and regional authorities are invited to take part in AE2025 and help shaping the sustainable future of aquaculture in Europe.
Find more information on the conference and schedule on the event webpage.

Conxemar 2025 - International Congress and Exhibition
2025-10-06 - 2025-10-09 | Vigo, Spain
Conxemar 2025: Congress & Exhibition – A Landmark Event for the Global Seafood Industry
Conxemar 2025 is set to take place this October and continues to serve as a leading international platform for the frozen seafood sector. Organized by the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters and Processors of Fishery and Aquaculture Products (Conxemar), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), this event will bring together key industry stakeholders from across the globe.
Two Key Events, One Major Industry Gathering

Conxemar Congress – October 6, 2025

Kicking off the event is the 13th edition of the Conxemar International Congress, held on October 6, one day before the main exhibition. This congress has become a cornerstone for thought leadership in the seafood industry, offering a platform for high-level discussions on critical issues impacting fisheries and aquaculture.
This year’s congress will be particularly significant as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries—a vital framework that underscores the importance of sustainable fishing practices and the role of fisheries in global economic and social development.
The 2025 edition will also open new discussions on emerging topics such as the role of seaweed in global food systems, cultivated proteins, and advances in food biotechnology, offering fresh perspectives on the future of sustainable seafood.
Have a look at the programme of the Congress here and register.

Conxemar Exhibition – October 7–9, 2025

Following the congress, the Conxemar International Frozen Seafood Exhibition will take place over three days, from October 7–9, occupying an impressive 37,000 square meters of exhibition space in Vigo, Spain. Established as one of the world’s most important seafood trade fairs, the exhibition serves as a dynamic business hub for professionals across the entire processing chain.
Who will attend?

Wholesalers
Importers & Exporters
Processors & Manufacturers
Distributors
Cold Storage Operators
Machinery Suppliers
Packaging & Auxiliary Industries (e.g. plastics, refrigeration)

The 2024 edition welcomed over 750 exhibiting companies from 46 countries and attracted industry professionals from 110 nations, solidifying Conxemar’s role as a key meeting point for the global seafood industry.
Find out more about the online registration for the Exhibition here.
Whether your goal is to connect with industry leaders, discover new business prospects, or gain insight into the latest global trends and innovations, Conxemar 2025 is the place to be.
