AQUA24 in Copenhagen: Highlights from the ASTRAL Project
From August 24th to 30th, the ASTRAL team traveled to Copenhagen in preparation for one of the largest annual events in aquaculture. It began with the 4th and final annual meeting of the ASTRAL Project. It was truly wonderful to reunite with our consortium and see the progress we’ve made over the years, culminating in a presentation of our final results.
At the AQUA24 conference, the ASTRAL team made an impressive contribution. We delivered 13 presentations and showcased five e-posters, drawing the attention of many attendees to our booth. It was encouraging to see such high interest in the work we've been doing and the connections we've formed with experts in the field.
A major highlight of the week was the 4-hour session dedicated entirely to the ASTRAL Project. During this session, we presented a comprehensive synthesis of all our findings, providing an in-depth look at the project’s achievements and its broader impact on the industry.
Furthermore, our project partner NORCE co-organizing the workshop "Harnessing Global Knowledge of IMTA & LTA," which sparked lively discussions among participants. The workshop was a great success, fostering valuable exchanges of ideas and bringing together a network of like-minded professionals eager to push the boundaries of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and low-trophic aquaculture (LTA).
The week continued with a bittersweet moment as our ASTRAL co-ordinator Elisa Ravagnan chaired the IMTA session on Friday morning. Elisa said, it was an honor to guide this important discussion, and took time to commemorate our late colleague Thierry Chopin, whose contributions to the field will not be forgotten.
After such an intense and fulfilling week, it was time to unwind and enjoy a relaxing weekend. AQUA24 has been a remarkable event, and we were grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.
