What are the main results of your work on the blue bioeconomy?

By conducting research ranging from the recovery of marine resources and by-products to biomedical applications, I see two main results from my work: highlighting opportunities for the recovery of fisheries by-products, using them as a new class of raw materials for the production of valuable marine biopolymers and other materials; and demonstrating the potential of compounds and materials of marine origin for the biomedical field, namely as components of biomaterials for advanced therapies.

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

The IBEROMARE project, co-financed by INTERREG within the POCTEP framework, coordinated by us in the 3B Research Group – University of Minho, in which we built a network of teams working on the biotechnological valorization of different marine biological resources (including by-products), showing their potential in a wide range of application fields. This project also marked the moment when a new line of research was established at the institution, beginning to shape my career.

The best blue bioeconomy tip you follow in your daily life:

There is no waste: only other types of resources; in fact, there is much more to know than what you see on the surface.

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

This has been a continuous learning process, as the oceans can be beneficial to our health in many different ways. But I can highlight a visit to Iceland in 2017, where I learned about their efforts to utilize 100% of cod, from food to many different applications using cod extracts and materials, as this showed that it is possible when a multidisciplinary team works together towards a common goal, feeling that it will truly benefit everyone.

How do you imagine the blue bioeconomy in 30 years? (Forecast)

We will continue to be surprised by new discoveries, but different companies will be created that will sustainably leverage marine biological resources: in addition to fishing, we will have aquaculture companies implemented and working under a clear regulatory framework (exploiting different classes of organisms), and also companies focused on active ingredients and applications (including healthcare) based on marine-derived compounds operating in the market, competing with others. We expect circularity to be a reality in the production processes of all companies working with marine resources. All of this exists in concepts and research approaches, but the translation to the economy, with an impact on society, is still in its infancy. I believe that the coming decades will bring the sector’s growth into adulthood.

The best of working with B2E

Having a team at the interface between R&D and Economics/Business, fully dedicated to promoting the transformation of Science into Innovation.

An idea to improve working with B2E

Establishing pilot projects on different topics to serve as a trigger for new developments. This also depends on funding, which is predictable over time (to allow for planning) and support for the “valley of death,” in addition to the willingness and commitment of the actors.

When you’re not working, you’re:

With my children. I’m a proud father of four, and so I’m always trying to learn how to do my best for them (and what that really means).