Smart Aquaculture Conference Marks its First Debut in Taipei, Taiwan!

The 1st Smart Aquaculture Conference, held on September 2, 2025, at TaiNEX 1 in Taipei, concluded successfully with international participation and in-depth discussions on sustainable aquaculture practices.

Organized by International Aquafeed and My Exhibition Co., Ltd., the one-day forum—staged ahead of Taiwan Smart Agriweek & Aquatech Taiwan 2025—brought together seven leading aquaculture experts and more than 80 delegates from four countries, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Participants explored key issues in alternative feeds, sustainable seafood production, and innovative technologies, with an interactive Q&A session encouraging direct engagement between speakers and attendees.

Innovations in Aquaculture Technology and Certification

The conference opened with sessions on technology-driven solutions and certification for fish and shrimp farming. Joe McDonald (Varicon Aqua) presented all-in-one nutrient premixes for microalgae, highlighting its role as both a feed additive and a functional aquafeed component. Soparat Bamrungsak (Control Union Thailand) followed with insights on certification frameworks such as ASC and BAP to strengthen aquaculture supply chains.

Jenny Ou (Sankina Aquaculture) then emphasized regenerative practices, renewable energy, and community equity in shrimp farming, while Ing-Jer Huang (National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan) showcased AI-enabled surveillance tools, including IoT sensors and image analysis, for early disease detection and pond stability.

Sustainable Feed Strategies and Market Trends

A networking break allowed delegates to connect directly with speakers, many discussing how the solutions could be applied on their own farms. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to nutrition, feed, and market outlooks.

Yu-Hung Lin (National Pingtung University of Science and Technology) introduced feed strategies for grouper and white shrimp to improve growth and reduce disease risks. Allen Wu (Adisseo Asia Pacific) presented proteins from methane-fed microbes as sustainable substitutes for fishmeal and soy. The conference closed with Hsiang-Pin Lan (U.S. Soybean Export Council), who outlined scaling challenges, feed costs, and rising demand for certified products, stressing the role of policy in driving sustainable growth.

Looking Forward

The conference underscored the practical impact of innovations such as AI monitoring systems and certified feed strategies, which drew strong interest from farmers, seafood processors, and manufacturers seeking greater efficiency and risk reduction.

The Smart Aquaculture Conference highlighted that the future of aquaculture lies not only in enhancing yield but also in cultivating sustainability, resilience, social equity, and environmental responsibility. As Taiwan and the broader Asia-Pacific aquaculture sector advance, these conversations and innovations are shaping both present practices and future possibilities.