The seven projects funded under the BlueBio 2nd Additional Call convened online for their mid-term meeting on 10 October 2024. These projects, which began in February 2023, are operating under the umbrella of JPI Oceans since the original BlueBio ERA-NET Cofund has already been concluded in May. JPI Oceans therefore had the honour of organising this mid-term meeting.
Each project team presented an overview of their progress, key achievements, challenges encountered and plans for the second half of their projects. This exchange enabled discussions on overcoming obstacles and ensuring that the projects stay on course.
Among the areas being addressed are the improvement of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for more efficient shrimp production, and the development of sterile triploid mussels, which offer higher yields and sustainability benefits. Another focus is the innovative use of hard-to-digest materials as potential feed substrates for animals, contributing to more sustainable aquafeed production. Additionally, some projects are exploring how underutilised species can be incorporated into ready-made meals or processed into valuable hydrolysates, which have applications in food, feed, and other industries. Significant work is being done on creating value from European seaweed, a rapidly growing sector with numerous ecological and commercial benefits. Finally, some projects are directly addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from commercial fisheries through more sustainable and lower-impact fishing practices.
In addition to project updates, the mid-term meeting featured a science communication workshop led by JPI Oceans’ Communication Officer Raluca Dumitrache. The workshop, attended by project coordinators and work package leaders, focused on the role of effective dissemination in amplifying the impact of research. The researchers’ responsibility for sharing their findings widely and clearly, ensuring their contribution to societal knowledge, was emphasised. Practical guidance was provided on tailoring messages to different audiences, ensuring that complex scientific ideas can be communicated in an accessible and engaging manner.
Overall, the meeting demonstrated the significant progress made by the projects and reinforced the importance of collaboration, communication, and dissemination to ensure that BlueBio delivers meaningful impacts on sustainable blue bioeconomy practices.
To know more about the BlueBio 2nd Additional Call projects, visit their pages below.