The first aquoponic farm in Europe is being born in Europe, more precisely in Italy, where treated wastewater will be used to raise fish and vegetables, implementing the concept of circular economy. The research is led by a European consortium of 20 partners from eight countries, which includes two Portuguese higher education institutions: the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), of the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB), of the Universidade Catolica Portuguesa in Porto, and the Laboratory of Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE) at the University of Porto.
The objective of AWARE (Aquaponics from WAstewater REclamation) is to create the first farm in Europe that uses wastewater in an aquaponic system, that is, that combines aquaculture with hydroponics (growing plants outside the soil). The pilot project will be installed in the wastewater treatment plant of Castellana Grotte, in Italy, where the researchers hope to see the first results in 2026.
