European aquaculture technology must become global

I find the European aquaculture landscape in a paradox. On the one hand, our aquaculture production has stagnated for over a decade (hovering at about 1.1 million tonnes, less than 1% of global production). On the other, innovation in aquaculture technology doesn't stop. In my experience it is thanks to EU research grants, academic networks, and strong engineering and manufacturing capacity, that Europe is always producing world-class prototypes, pilots, and demonstrators. But too often, that is where the story ends.

The Paradox of Innovation Without Scale

The European Court of Auditors has already flagged this contradiction: more than €1.2 billion in aquaculture subsidies between 2014–2020 did not increase production or employment. Production stayed flat, jobs declined, and many funds went unused due to complex regulations. While sustainability remains an EU priority, we are still not competitive and our sector does not grow.

At the same time, reports like Mario Draghi’s competitiveness review show Europe falling behind the US and China in scaling innovations. The US and China thrive on venture capital, digital adoption, and risk appetite. We, as European innovators often face fragmented markets, risk-averse funding, and regulatory bottlenecks. I believe many of us in aquaculture R&D can agree about how slow things move, when we see, for instance, American-funded innovations and businesses (for example, Moleaer or Innovasea) gain territory and markets at paces we can only dream of.

For aquaculture technology as a whole, the result is a familiar pattern:

• Brilliant R&D leads to working prototypes.

• EU grants sustain pilots and demonstration farms.

• But when it’s time to raise capital for market entry, build sales teams, and manufacture at scale, momentum stalls.

The way out: From EU to the World

European aquaculture markets are simply too small to sustain rapid growth. Even the largest EU countries cannot absorb significant new capacity.

Even Norway can seem small for a business with grand ambitions. For landbased technology suppliers, it is even more dire: Norway, by far the largest market, has around 175 registered smolt facilities. A large number for a country, but still a limited niche for those trying to penetrate the market with high-tech probes, water filtration solutions, AI-based products. You dominated the smolt facilities segment and you sold 175 hydrogen sulphide/ammonia/ozone probes. Then what?

I am reaching the conclusion that innovators must think global from day one. This may mean targeting Asia’s massive aquaculture industry, LATAM's shrimp and tilapia sectors, or preparing an entry into Africa when the time is right. Not an easy feat, as we are biased to want to trade with our European neighbors first and foremost.

Finding the right investors is also a challenge. For example, venture capital seeks fast disruption, but aquaculture is more asset-heavy and slow-moving. What the sector really needs is long-term, steady-value investors — those comfortable with timelines measured in years and decades, not quarters. I hope to meet some like these sooner than later.

A Different Kind of Opportunity

I think Europe still has an edge. Our strengths are in:

• World-class R&D ecosystems — with clusters of scientists, engineers, and pilot facilities. The EU Framework programmes, national funded programs, COST, Erasmus, vibrant conference circuits... it's all there, and it's beautiful.

• Cross-industry innovation — tapping the “adjacent possible” by borrowing from sectors like pharma, food tech, biotech, and water treatment.

• Policy frameworks — imperfect, but still capable of de-risking early-stage innovation.

• Many Innovation-heavy countries, like Ireland, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Finland and so on, are especially well-placed to serve as launchpads: small but connected markets, strong innovation cultures, and global linkages.

Closing the Gap

For Europe to turn aquaculture innovation into global opportunity, we need:

• Investors aligned with aquaculture’s timelines.

• Innovators who plan for international markets from the start.

• Policies and funding that streamline scaling beyond just piloting.

• More support for European businesses and innovate SME's to scout the world more often, more deeply. From a personal experience running Dutch businesses, the role of the Dutch Embassies abroad is a great example of how States can support their businesses reach new market. Can we have some more of that at EU-level, perhaps?