The AquaFeed project, led by LIFE, is investigating the prerequisites to produce and distribute regionally manufactured, sustainable and affordable fish feed for predatory fish species in Austria. Networking is a key aspect of the project: AquaFeed supports the exchange of experiences between different institutions and stakeholders involved in the topic of fish feed.
Cooperation for sustainable aquaculture
In order to develop viable solutions for sustainable and competitive aquaculture in Austria, the AquaFeed project focusses on bringing together different perspectives and areas of expertise. The diversity of the involved stakeholders helps to shed light on the complex topic of fish feed production.
Interdisciplinary exchange for sustainable solutions
Experts from science, practice, consulting and interest groups met on 24 March 2025, moderated by AGES. The aim of the meeting was to discuss key points for the development of sustainable fish feed for predatory fish species in Austria. Besides the presentation of literature research results and the main possible lines of action with regard to further development in Austria, the main focus was on interdisciplinary exchange. The participants were:
- Practice - fish farming and processing: Biofisch GmbH, EISVOGEL Hubert Bernegger GmbH, Fischereibetrieb Payr, WALDLAND Tierveredelungs GmbH
- Practice - Feed production: PUREA Austria GmbH, Ecofly GmbH
- Science: AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, BAW - Federal Agency for Water Management, BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies, BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, University for Continuing Education Krems, FH JOANNEUM, JOANNEUM RESEARCH, WasserCluster Lunz
- Chamber of Agriculture Lower Austria, Austrian Association for Fisheries and Aquaculture
What happens next?
On the basis of the insights gained at the networking meeting the next project steps will be developed further. Two more stakeholder meetings are planned as part of the project, in order to deepen the interdisciplinary dialogue and to provide feedback on concrete options for action together with the stakeholders.
This project is financed as part of the departmental research program via dafne.at with funds from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management. The BML supports applied, problem-oriented and practice-oriented research in the department's area of expertise.
