CITAQUA - Centre for Innovation and Technology in Aquaculture is positioned as the centrepiece of the dynamics of innovation, production and transfer of R&DT in Portugal for the bivalve mollusc and algae sector, providing high added value services for the development of institutions and the competitiveness of companies at national and international level.

CITAQUA aims to provide the country with a unit where innovative technology-based solutions for sustainable aquaculture can be tested on a pilot scale, so that they can be more easily transferred to the national production sector, while also encouraging the internationalisation of new products, processes and services.

National Laboratory for the Traceability of Fisheries and Aquaculture Products to be installed at CITAQUA 

In order to operationalise the National Laboratory for the Traceability of Fisheries and Aquaculture Products, two complementary laboratories will be installed and duly equipped: the Biochemical and Geochemical Traceability Laboratory and the Molecular Traceability and Biomarkers Laboratory. The biomass of fisheries and aquaculture organisms will be valorised by differentiating them using tools to trace their geographical origin, production method and/or catch, which will allow them to gain access to new value chains and enable a greater financial return. The commitment to the binomial produce more/sell better is one of the guidelines for CITAQUA's strategic positioning in the national and international blue bioeconomy panorama.

Laboratory for 5.0 Super-Intensive Production of Algae and Bivalves to be installed at CITAQUA

In order to operationalise the Laboratory for Super-Intensive Algae and Bivalve Production 5.0, seven complementary laboratories will be installed and duly equipped: the Bivalve Laboratory, the Photobioreactor Laboratory, the Multipurpose Laboratory, the Raceway Tank Space, the Zooplankton Production Room, the Micro and Macroalgae Inoculum Room and the Optical Material, Photobiology (PAM) and other Algae Production Support Material Room. This laboratory aims to promote the development, implementation and validation of new aquaculture production systems for bivalve molluscs and algae (micro and macro) based on principles of energy efficiency, automation and maximising biosafety.