NOWA at Aquaculture Europe 2025: Rethinking Talent in Aquaculture

At the Aquaculture Europe 2025 conference in Valencia, the NOWA roundtable session “Attracting New Talents in Aquaculture: Think Out of the Box, Be Disruptive and Inclusive!” brought together voices from across generations and sectors to discuss the future of talent in aquaculture.

Aligned with this year’s conference theme, “Aquaculture for Everyone”, the session offered a lively exchange of perspectives and an opportunity to reflect on where the industry stands today — and what steps are needed to secure its future.

The panel featured Rosa Chapela Pérez (Executive Director, CETMAR), Dorinde M.M. Kleinegris (Principal Investigator, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre), Kathrin Steinberg (Head of Research, Aquaculture Stewardship Council), João Rito (Founding Partner, SEAntia), Javier Ojeda Gonzalez-Posada (General Secretary, FEAP), and Benjamin Costas (Principal Researcher, CIIMAR).

The discussion was moderated by NOWA co-founders Christina Zantioti, Marilou Suc, and Garazi Rodríguez Valle, highlighting NOWA’s growing presence in international dialogues on gender, inclusivity, and the future of the aquaculture workforce. Together, the moderators guided an open and thought-provoking conversation on how to attract and retain new talent, promote cross-generational learning, and foster equitable opportunities throughout the sector.

A recurring theme was the importance of listening — to both emerging professionals and experienced leaders who have shaped aquaculture over the years. True progress, participants agreed, requires an open mindset: one that welcomes new perspectives, challenges assumptions, and values collaboration across disciplines and generations.

The conversation also underscored the need to expand and diversify opportunities within the sector. Growth is essential not only for innovation but also to ensure aquaculture remains an attractive and accessible field for future professionals. Participants emphasized that visibility and recognition in policy arenas are critical — without them, the sector risks being overlooked. Stronger policy frameworks and legal support are needed to highlight aquaculture’s role in food security, sustainability, and economic development.

The session closed with a clear call to action: think beyond traditional pathways, embrace disruptive ideas, and ensure inclusivity at every level. Building the next generation of aquaculture professionals is not just about education — it is about creating visibility, dialogue, and opportunities for meaningful engagement.

NOWA is proud to have contributed to this important conversation and remains committed to advancing gender equality, representation, and innovation across the global aquaculture value chain.