On June 26th, IPMA organized the 2nd LiRRiES meeting of the AZA4ICE project in the city of Olhão, Portugal!
This important session brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from the 5-helix model—academia, industry, government, civil society, and the environmental sector—to strengthen collaborative work in the context of circular aquaculture in the Ria Formosa.
The meeting focused on advancing the AZA4ICE methodology for identifying suitable species and areas for circular aquaculture systems within Aquaculture Allocation Zones (AZAs), with special attention to practices such as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
During the session, participants discussed:
- Circular economy practices in aquaculture
- Regulatory and licensing challenges for the sector in Portugal
- The co-development of the AZA4ICE Action Plans, a key step for enabling circular transition in AZAs
- A participatory exercise to define criteria and indicators contributing to the C-AZA Index, a comprehensive tool for sustainable aquaculture planning
The event was a true example of responsible innovation in action, strengthening connections between science, policy, industry, and society.
💡 A huge thank you to all who contributed to making this event a success—your input is essential to ensuring the AZA4ICE methodology reflects the real needs and priorities of the sector.
Let’s keep working together for a more innovative, sustainable, and resilient aquaculture future!
