May 25, 2026

 

AQUATECHinn 4.0 to launch online learning platform for aquaculture professionals and students

 

The AQUATECHinn 4.0 project will officially launch its new online learning platform in June, offering aquaculture professionals, technicians and students free access to certified online training designed to address critical skill gaps across the sector.

 

The platform launch is part of the AQUATECHinn 4.0 initiative. Funded by the ERASMUS+ program of the European Union, the platform, also named AQUATECHinn 4.0, supports the transition toward Aquaculture 4.0 by equipping professionals, students, and technicians with job-ready skills that combine scientific knowledge with practical application.

 

Rapid technological advances and the increasing use of digital tools in aquaculture have transformed on-farm practices over the past decade. As a result, the AQUATECHinn 4.0 consortium, led by SGS Tecnos and formed by research and industry partners, has identified gaps in traditional training programmes, which often focus on general production knowledge without covering emerging technical and operational needs.

 

To address this challenge, the AQUATECHinn 4.0 platform provides a free, certified curriculum consisting of three modules totaling 120 hours of learning. The modules cover the latest technologies in finfish and shellfish aquaculture, sustainability management, and animal health and biosecurity, welfare, nutrition, and reproduction.

 

The platform is delivered through a fully online, self-paced format, enabling flexible access for users across Europe. It will be available in English, French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Turkish.

 

The platform is built to support applied learning through a range of integrated digital tools, multimedia resources and interactive assessments. These include virtual reality experiences, gamified learning applications, and smart data-driven modules designed to enhance engagement in areas such as automation, precision fish farming, and sustainable production systems.

 

The learning platform will be officially presented at a final conference on June 17, organised by CCMAR – Centre of Marine Sciences, and held at the University of Algarve in Faro, Portugal.

 

The event will feature expert discussions on workforce development, technological innovation and sustainability in the aquaculture sector. Speakers include Prof. Elsa Cabrita of the University of Algarve, who will address the importance of aligning training with industry needs, and Isidro Blanquet of the Portuguese Aquaculture Association, who will speak on the challenges and needs of aquaculture producers and small-scale farmers.

 

The event will also include a live demonstration of the AQUATECHinn 4.0 platform, hands-on testing sessions, and roundtable discussions with stakeholders from across the sector.

 

"Many farms are in a transition phase, where technicians often work with a mix of traditional practices and modern technologies," said Prof. Elsa Cabrita. "So, adaptability is essential–you need to be comfortable with both hands-on aquaculture work and with digital tools like monitoring platforms or control systems. Learning programmes need to be adapted to these new technologies, since young generations entering the aquaculture sector will need to integrate these skills."

 

Smaller satellite events will also take place in other countries like Spain and Greece, with dates still to be announced.

 

In Turkey, the platform will be launched in a satellite event on June 3 at RTEU Faculty of Fisheries in Rize, while in Italy, the platform will be launched during the Italian Oyster Festival in La Spezia, Italy, on May 22–23, 2026.

- Aquafeed.com