The Coralis project was designed to operate in high-energy ocean conditions. What distinguishes this platform, in terms of resilience and operations, from more traditional coastal aquaculture models?

The Coralis system is a floating platform that is permanently anchored to the seabed, (from) 75-meter depth facilitating the system of cages, being 35 meters high, to be submerged to 30 meters below surface. The 350,000m3 of water in the cages function as ballast so that the system tilts minimally and allows continued operations. The system is tested for Hs9-waves, meaning 9-meter significant with peaks of 17 meters. The design has similarities to proven technologies in other marine platform industries and adds to that the data/ai-driven technologies that facilitate grow-out operations in all positions of the cages and in all sea states up to Hs9. The platform will house a permanent crew of 7 and can facilitate up to 20 people for its research purposes, as a Live Lab.

“The platform was tested for waves with peaks of 17 metres”

The AI-assisted feeding system is one of the project’s most distinctive features. What improvements do you expect to achieve regarding feed efficiency and waste reduction?

The data- and ai-driven technology monitors and anticipates the fish behaviour and ‘appetite’ where it is known that the fish react to the environment and changes in that, be it weather, or water parameters. The continuous connection to ocean and weather data, together with on-site monitoring at several levels of depth will make sure that the fish get what they need while minimizing waste. The efficiency is aimed at optimizing the fish quality of life, as in minimal stress and optimal feed absorption, where other factors will play, as in environmental enrichment, innovative feeds, optimized feeding and biomass estimation that will also be enhanced and monitored by data/ai-technology.

With an expected annual production capacity of 8,000 tonnes, what role could a project like Coralis play in reducing Iberian dependence on seafood imports?

We will target 6,700 tons during the initial years of operation, while actively work to maximize and exhaust the full 8,000-ton permit, without compromise on fish well-being, sustainability and quality.

Technology for high capacity, scalable and replicable aquaculture is much needed for Portuguese domestic consumption as well as demand from abroad, for example Spain, France, Italy and other export markets even overseas to the USA. The answer is not that all production can replace imports, although partially true. When looking just at the two species that we start with, European Seabass and Gilthead Seabream, there are several aspects to take into consideration: first, the origination of the imports; second, the perceived market demand developments; third, the key-differences between Portugal and Spain’s markets; fourth, the distinguishing aspect of growing with an Atlantic genetic profile; and fifth, the potential growth of a new cluster of offshore aquaculture in the corridor Algarve – Cadiz.

Europe mostly consumes Turkish and Greek seabass and seabream. What does that tell us about the competitiveness of European aquaculture?

In Europe, 85% of Seabass and Seabream (SBSB) consumption is imported. Most supplied from Turkey and Greece, where aquaculture has developed into a legacy industry from early recognition of the potential, pioneering entrepreneurship and regulatory frameworks that supported this growth. In general, these supplies represent the commodity volumes and pricing, where in Portugal this is very relevant given its lower spending power compared to Spain, France and Italy. According to Spanish Apromar’s report 2025 (2023 data), imports of SBSB: in Portugal are 20,000 tons of total domestic consumption of 25,000 tons; national production is 5,400 tons. In Spain are 42,500 tons of total domestic consumption of 57,600 tons; national production – mostly along the Mediterranean coastline – is around 34,000 tons, serving exports for 17,700 tons. With regards to total Iberic national production, Coralis facilitates 6,700 tons, being a significant contribution to production capacity for meeting demand growth from both domestic and export markets.

Is there market demand for an Atlantic-profile aquaculture product, differentiated from what is currently imported?

Market projections include growth of demand for seafood in total, as well as specific for local, certified, high-quality product that has a very short time-to-market of just hours or 1-2 days. The outcomes of Apromar’s branding- and market research project ‘Crianza Mares y Rios de Espana’ demonstrate that. Coralis facilitates growth of fish of Atlantic genetic profile that have near-wild characteristics, coming from the natural energy and nutrients from the open ocean. This is expected to shift a portion of demand from imports to domestic farmed product, especially in HoReCa (hotel-restaurant-catering) and higher-end market segments.

Coralis was the first project to undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment for offshore aquaculture in Portugal. What was that process like?

Portugal and Spain have (had) different priorities to accelerate aquaculture, specific offshore on open seas, and the regulatory and environmental frameworks for that are in early stage. Coralis is demonstrating pioneering technology and underwent rigorous review of its AIA, Environmental Impact Analysis, to ultimately receive approval from APA and the TAA Aquaculture Activity Title, for installation in a pre-approved and designated area for offshore aquaculture.

What distinguishes a fish raised in the open Atlantic from one of Mediterranean origin?

As mentioned, the choice for Seabass and Seabream of Atlantic genetic profile will create a distinguishing product from (East) Mediterranean product in markets where consumers are able to recognize this difference and therefor partly create a demand shift and potential growth of a new segment.

Is the first installation just the beginning? Are there plans for replication?

Coralis’ first installation 15 km offshore Vila Real de Santo Antonio will serve as a template for modular replication of the system, for other locations along the corridor Algarve – Cadiz, so there is length in creating impact on Iberic reduction of import dependency with future installations with third parties.

“85% of seabass and seabream consumed in Europe are imported”

Does this licensing milestone represent a turning point for offshore aquaculture in Portugal?

More of a kick-off than a turning point. The license demonstrates that Coralis technology and the Happy Fish methodology can comply with the regulatory and environmental frameworks, and possibly added to the knowledge for the future where pioneering technology was reviewed for the first time. And likely strengthens the confidence in offshore aquaculture from several perspectives and stakeholders: It’s utilizing the ocean, where there is more space than on land or less conflict with tourism; It’s less costly for energy and oxygenation, utilizing natural physicochemical aspects, nutrients and currents; It’s critical infrastructure for food security and protein autonomy, a scalable template for replication with valuation based on license (25+25 year), asset lifetime (25 year), data/ai-enhanced productivity and ESG- and Food Security premium.

Offshore aquaculture projects are often associated with complex licensing and regulatory processes. After this experience, do you believe Portugal is becoming more prepared to enable projects of this nature?

It is a milestone to have received the approvals from the entities involved, yet that means still a ton of work to organize processes around the terms and conditions in each next step of construction, installation and operation, where monitorization will be the guidance for eventual adaption of processes and technologies. This entire process that includes the concept becoming real-life and then operating, will be a learning curve for all stakeholders, including Portuguese entities involved in regulatory and environmental frameworks. The rigorous process of the first EIA for offshore large quantity, will definitely be easier with the next projects.

Portugal is frequently highlighted for its ocean conditions and maritime expertise. Could the country position itself as a testing and demonstration ground for offshore aquaculture technologies in Europe?

Portugal is already working hard positioning itself as Blue Pioneer on the fundament of its maritime legacy, as this was key decision point in 2021 to pursue location and installation of Coralis in Portuguese Atlantic Ocean and therefor establishing MSP Mariculture Systems Portugal. From the start, Forum Oceano as cluster for the ocean was visible as driver in the Blue Economy and DGPM, DGRM and AICEP collectively shared the ambition to realize this demonstration project for future replication. It looks that there is (early sign of) momentum for Coralis type of technology to be recognized and valuated as ‘critical blue infrastructure’, to really accelerate the projects that could and would give Portugal the position that it deserves.

“We were forced to look abroad for the basic construction”

Beyond fish production itself, what opportunities could a project like Coralis create for the wider Portuguese blue economy, namely in areas such as shipbuilding, automation, logistics, marine services or digital technologies?

Your question has the word ‘could’ in it, which is on-point. For Coralis being a high-technology installation that we aimed to build with local Portuguese shipyards, metal construction companies, industrial maritime conglomerates, engineering companies, to realize a construction ecosystem for the first build followed by modular replication, these were not easily found and, in some cases, simply confirmed knowledge being offshored from Portugal, and legislation to be in the way of possible collaborations. This forced us to look abroad for the basic construction, yet there are still many collaborations in the value chain, from suppliers of technologies, feeds and juveniles to suppliers of local services and supplies, logistics, research, monitoring, providing jobs and business cases for independent entrepreneurs. It would be good if the potential is rediscovered for the future after the first Coralis is proof of concept.

Operating highly technological offshore systems requires very specific skills. Is Portugal prepared, in terms of talent and technical training, to respond to this new generation of aquaculture?

Good question, where it looks from the many applications that we receive that there is a lot of Portuguese aquaculture and maritime knowledge and expertise, however in the diaspora. People appreciate the development in their home country and are eager to join when possible and relevant, also to return to Portugal. We have a strong team that can also be trainers for next generations so also in that perspective the solution will be pioneering.

“A Coralis system demands supply-security for 1.4 million juveniles per month”

In your view, what will be the biggest challenge in building public trust and demonstrating that offshore aquaculture can scale sustainably?

The topic that is talked about at any and every conference, as Aquaculture Europe in Valencia, Brussels’ Ocean Days, Blue Invest Day, Blue Food Innovation Summit, Seafood Expo Global and more, is funding! And such while confidence and recognition of offshore being the space for acceleration is coming at slower pace than needed, as investor reports and behaviour indicate that several impact investors have mixed experiences with their participations in RAS projects. There is extensive reporting that investors in RAS need a longer view for returns than their normal participations and timelines towards exits. The second challenge is public funding that should work as catalyst and de-risking for private and institutional investors. In ‘offshore wind’ projects, public funding is commonly 5-15% in the capital stack. The third challenge is the supply of juveniles, where a Coralis system demands supply-security for 1.4 million juveniles per month. In our case, we’re placemaking for a ‘Strategic Atlantic Nursery Platform’ in Portugal with strategic partnerships, as a stand-alone supply facility at very close distance to its clients – that are expected to be many more than current near shore, estuary-based and land-based farms – anticipating the acceleration of offshore aquaculture in the Algarve – Cadiz corridor.

Cover photo: Mariculture Systems Portugal