Portugal – Field Visit & Transnational Forum 4–6 June 2025
Fourth field visit & Transnational Innovation Forum across southern PortugalFourth field visit & a Transnational Innovation Forum across southern Portugal, hosted by our Portuguese partner Sines Tecnopolo. Delegations from Portugal, Spain, Irlande and France—including consortium partners (Leartibai Fundazioa, Munster Technological University, Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique and Technopole Cornouaille Quimper) and stakeholders from fishery communities, aquaculture producers, canning and processing industries, shellfish cooperatives, microalgae ventures, fisheries management committees and marine research centres—gathered to learn, exchange ideas and explore best practices for more sustainable and innovative fisheries along the Atlantic coast.
Day 1 – Wednesday 4 June: Fish Auction, Short Supply Chains & Local Dinner
- Morning (Sesimbra, DOCAPESCA)
- Observing the auction process and discussing traceability challenges
- Meeting artisanal fishers to understand their selective fishing methods
- Afternoon (Setúbal)
- Introduction to Cabaz do Peixe (direct-to-consumer platform)
- Demonstration of SUNCONCEPT‘s onboard solar solutions
- Tour of EXPORSADO‘s grading and packaging lines for oyters
- Evening (Sines, Selo do Mar)
- Communal dinner featuring garum, a fermented fish sauce rich in umami, revived for modern tastes
Day 2 – Thursday 5 June: Transnational Forum & Study Visits
Morning (Sines Tecnopolo)
- Welcome & Reception
Opening by Sines Tecnopolo and Leartibai Fundazioa, including a brief presentation of the host institution and venue, followed by an overview of FISHINN’s objectives, strategic vision, work packages and a summary of implemented actions to date, with main results and lessons learned.
- Ecosystem Presentations
Regional representatives from Leartibai Fundazioa, Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique & Technopole Quimper Cornouaille, Sines Tecnopolo and Munster Technological University shared their local findings and challenges, best-practice examples and piloted solutions, and stakeholder engagement processes—featuring the Mar sem Lixo project (DOCAPESCA) and the HUB Azul innovation hub.
- Transnational Forum based on the WP2 results/analysis
Moderated by Leartibai Fundazioa on topics such as generational renewal and sector attractiveness, innovation and technology adoption, sustainability and environmental pressures, governance and stakeholder collaboration, and future vision for systemic change.
Afternoon
- Docapesca Auction House (Sines): immersion in auction workflows and fish tracking
- Oceano Fresco: demonstration of clam grading and quality-control processes
Day 3 – Friday 6 June: Pilot Aquaculture & Microalgae
- Morning (Olhão, IPMA Pilot Aquaculture Station)
Exploring its hatchery, larval-rearing and ongrowing tanks where reproduction, larval development and ongrowing trials are conducted on gilthead sea bream and European sea bass, alongside emerging species such as saddled bream, meagre, sole and corvina.
- Afternoon (Faro, Necton & PhytoBloom)
Visit to Necton’s industrial microalgae production facility, examining flat-panel and tubular photobioreactors, harvesting, drying and formulation processes for Phytobloom microalgae concentrates—used in aquaculture broodstock, aquaria and research applications.
Key Insights & Next Steps
- Mutual Learning: sharing methods for catch monitoring and participatory resource management
- Innovative Solutions: onboard solar power, digital traceability, micro-aquaculture techniques
- Strengthened Networks: enhanced collaboration between SMEs, research centres and port authorities
Moving forward, the consortium intends to explore the development of a regional “Innovation & Transfer” roadmap and investigate possibilities for joint training activities and on-site demonstration projects along the Atlantic coast, in close cooperation with local partners.
We extend our warm thanks to Sines Tecnopolo and all local stakeholders for their welcome and expertise. After three days of immersion and dialogue, we move forward together to make FISHINN a catalyst for sustainable progress in Atlantic fisheries.