Project Overview
ACT-FAST: Actions for Climate Transition by developing Future Aquaculture Strategies and Technologies is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action dedicated to identifying, validating, and demonstrating climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions tailored for European aquaculture.
The project addresses the growing climate pressures affecting aquaculture, including rising temperatures, harmful algal blooms, disease risks, lower oxygen levels, invasive species, and increasing stress on fish and shellfish production systems.
ACT-FAST works across four target regions the Mediterranean, river deltas, Central and Eastern European inland waters, and the North-East Atlantic to test practical, climate-smart solutions that strengthen resilience, improve sustainability, and support long-term food security.
Our Role & Contribution
Within ACT-FAST, INNOVA is responsible for Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation, helping ensure that project knowledge, tools, and results reach the right stakeholders and generate long-term impact.
Our contribution supports the project by:
- Increasing visibility across European innovation and aquaculture ecosystems,
- Engaging stakeholders through dissemination activities and outreach,
- Supporting the exploitation of project results and their pathway toward uptake,
- Contributing to knowledge transfer, policy dialogue, and long-term valorisation of project outcomes.
The Challenge
European aquaculture is under growing pressure from climate change. Warmer waters are reducing water quality and fish health, harmful algal blooms and parasites are becoming more frequent, and invasive species are disrupting local ecosystems and production. At the same time, the sector faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions, improve circularity, and meet sustainability standards.
ACT-FAST responds to this challenge by combining science, technology, and practical sector knowledge to develop solutions that are not only innovative, but also scalable, adoptable, and relevant to real farming conditions.
Consultation Process
Impact & Results
ACT-FAST is designed to deliver measurable benefits for climate-resilient aquaculture. According to the project newsletter and presentation, expected impacts include a 10% reduction in mortality for seabass and carp, a 5% reduction for salmon, a 10% cut in antibiotic and chemical use, improved feed efficiency, and productivity gains in several farming systems.
The project is also expected to reduce environmental pressure through circular approaches and improved feed performance. For example, the newsletter highlights the potential to save 34,000 tonnes of CO2e per year through new Mediterranean feed formulations and to support recovery of 520 hectares of salinised coastal land through wider uptake of delta solutions.
Beyond technical innovation, ACT-FAST invests in wider sector uptake through training, stakeholder engagement, webinars, and the Virtual ActFast Lighthouse, helping translate project knowledge into practical tools and long-term value for European aquaculture.
Project Information :
