What are the main results of your work in the area of ​​blue bioeconomy?

The University of Porto, mainly (but not exclusively) through the scientific and technical activities of ICBAS and FCUP, contributes to the blue bioeconomy in several areas. These include fundamental research in the biology and ecology of water systems, as well as applied research in aquatic environments and ecological sustainability, environmental and natural resource management, aquatic production (focusing on aquaculture, including production systems, animal welfare, fish nutrition, pathology), and studies on the quality of seafood products, safety, and waste management.

A blue bioeconomy project you participated in and are proud of:

Among the large number of R&D projects in the aquatic area that the University of Porto has had in the past and is currently developing, I can mention the area of ​​waste management in the seafood industry, finding better solutions to avoid the waste of seafood products in a world where food resources are becoming scarce and waste (which is still high) must be reduced. Best practices in aquaculture, with a view to improving sustainability, are also important areas of work today.

The best blue bioeconomy tip you follow in your daily life

No project should be conceived without considering, from the beginning, environmental impacts and sustainability. We owe this to future generations.

A course, an event, a meeting, a person who impacted and changed or reinforced your ideas/methods/work procedures – best practices

We are proud of a recent course at ICBAS on Oyster Production Technologies, focused on sustainability through good agricultural practices in aquaculture. We have also developed new sensory systems to assess the quality and safety of seafood, reduce plastics in water, and find new alternative ingredients for the manufacture of fish feed.

How do you imagine the blue bioeconomy in 30 years? Prediction

I believe that human beings will be able to find the best ways to be in nature, respecting all ecosystems. I am optimistic about human capabilities, but I know that new problems and different challenges will arise.

The best thing about working with B2E

Since there is only one health (humans, animals, and the environment are always mutually interdependent), the best work we can do is together; teamwork is the future. B2E is about working collaboratively, that’s the best thing about this type of partnership.

An idea to improve working with B2E

Perhaps improving communication skills between partners and finding better ways to identify good collaboration opportunities will help us. Less time on computers, more time talking in person…

When you’re not working, you are:

For longer periods, traveling and diving. For shorter periods, cycling, taking long walks, reading, exploring music as a listener and trying to play guitar, and also doing some manual work to relax the mind.