Research

EATFISH, supported by the EU's Marie Skłodowska–Curie program, is a pioneering project with the aim of transforming European aquaculture into a sustainable and profitable industry. As an interdisciplinary project, EATFISH will train a new generation of scientists in sustainable aquaculture, addressing both environmental and consumer needs. By blending biology, technology, socioeconomics, and governance, the project aims to optimize resource use, promote animal welfare, and develop innovative products while refining governance strategies.

3BIO has a multifaceted role within EATFISH focused on enhancing the valorisation potential of innovations, with a particular emphasis on value capture and fostering entrepreneurial skills among Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs). This exposure is crucial for equipping young scientists with practical experience and understanding of entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of the Norwegian salmon industry and the wider aquaculture sector.

The NYMPHE project, funded by the European Union, represents a groundbreaking environmental restoration and sustainability effort. The core focus of the 17 partners is addressing the escalating issue of environmental contamination that impacts climate change, food security, and human well-being. NYMPHE aims to revitalize lands and waters severely affected by pollution by harnessing the power of innovative, nature-based bioremediation solutions. This initiative underscores the critical need to mitigate the adverse effects of human activity on the environment, striving for a healthier, more sustainable future. 3BIO experts play a crucial role in the project by providing insights into the regulatory requirements for executing R&D with microorganisms, genetically evolved organisms, and genetically modified organisms. A second task is to do a societal assessment of bioremediation strategies.

At the heart of NYMPHE's approach is the utilization of bioremediation, a biotechnological method that leverages the natural abilities of micro- and macroorganisms, plants, and enzymes. This method is uniquely designed to absorb, accumulate, and degrade pollutants and toxins from various environments, including soil, water, and beyond. NYMPHE's strategies are meticulously tailored to remove common pollutants like pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and heavy metals, employing a range of biologics such as enzymes, bacteria, fungi, and plants. The ambitious project aims to eliminate at least 90% of pollutants in tested sites across Europe, significantly enhancing biodiversity and achieving environmental quality standards close to those of Natura 2000.

An inventive effort that takes a big step toward diverse and sustainable EU in-land aquaculture is the INNOAQUA project. Its primary focus is integrating algae into sustainable aquaculture practices and developing high-value food applications. With 17 partners collaborating, INNOAQUA aims to demonstrate and mainstream innovative algae-based foods and solutions underpinned by ecology, circularity, and digitalization concepts. This project signifies a paradigm shift in sustainable aquaculture, targeting a more eco-friendly and efficient industry. 3BIO will perform a regulatory (safety/health/environmental) assessment to identify relevant legislation and potential regulatory hurdles for the technology and products developed by the other INNOAQUA Partners.
The innovative approach of INNOAQUA’s value chain faces several safety issues (e.g., related to the choice of organisms and production infrastructure) and regulatory requirements for the operation and marketability of the products. Regulatory requirements, especially for innovative cultivation techniques and novel food applications, may represent one of the most relevant hurdles impacting the viability of the solutions. Thus, addressing such aspects early will significantly enhance the chance for success while providing essential information for exploiting business cases.
INNOAQUA's objectives are multi-faceted and aimed at transforming the aquaculture industry. These include implementing an ecosystem approach for sustainable management of aquaculture production, demonstrating tools to reduce waste in cultivation and processing, and developing innovative algae-based seafood products. Additionally, the project focuses on enhancing societal acceptance and market penetration of these innovative products through novel social simulation approaches and maximizing the broader uptake of INNOAQUA’s results during and after the project’s execution. This holistic approach ensures environmental sustainability and aquaculture practices' economic viability and social acceptability.