What?

Cross-cutting exploration of the many sources and applications of marine lipids, particularly omega-3 PUFAs like EPA and DHA, for sustainable and nutritious aquaculture products.

Why?

It is increasingly important to ensure alternative, high-quality feeds for aquaculture, paying special attention to critical marine nutrients such as omega-3 PUFAs.

About

The Marine Organisms as Essential Nutrient Sources workshop focuses on the pivotal role of marine organisms in providing essential nutrients for human and animal health, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like EPA and DHA. These long-chain PUFAs, scarce in terrestrial sources, are vital for numerous physiological functions and overall well-being. As aquaculture becomes increasingly plant-based, ensuring the nutritional quality of seafood is critical for public health. The workshop aims to unite interdisciplinary experts to explore the multifaceted applications of marine lipids in human and animal nutrition, addressing their potential to prevent non-communicable diseases and enhance the nutritional value of aquaculture products. Through collaboration, participants will identify sustainable lipid sources, strategies to optimize lipid retention in aquaculture, and solutions to maintain environmental integrity. The workshop will culminate in a comprehensive position paper, serving as a valuable resource for advancing research, industry practices, and policy development in marine lipid applications.

Key Objectives

The aim of this workshop is to bring together an interdisciplinary group of experts in the field of marine lipids to establish a cross-disciplinary network. This workshop will serve as a comprehensive platform for exploring the multifaceted applications of lipids in nutrition, focusing on two key areas: human nutrition and animal farm nutrition.

  • Human Nutrition and Health Benefits: To explore and relate the functional applications of marine lipids in maintaining and improving human health. This includes promoting their beneficial properties aimed at preventing or mitigating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and contributing to overall well-being.
  • Animal Nutrition and High-Quality Lipid Production: To address new trends in diet formulations and to understand how fish and shellfish utilize lipids, with the goal of increasing their retention rather than using them as energy sources. This aims to ensure high nutritional quality and to help identify strategies for boosting high quality lipid content in farmed animals, without compromising environmental integrity.

This collaborative effort will culminate in the publication of a comprehensive position paper that reviews marine lipid applications, sustainable sources, and associated challenges. This document will serve as a pivotal resource for stakeholders across various sectors, including research, industry, and policymaking, to guide future strategies and practices.

Expected Outcomes

  • Organization of a three-days meeting with experts in marine lipids from different areas to discuss the analysis and applications of marine lipids in human health and marine animal nutrition.
  • Publication of a review to generate a roadmap for future research priorities.
  • Address challenges and future perspectives in the use of marine lipids for human and animal health.
  • Establish a network of professionals with shared interests in marine lipids for future project proposals.
  • Enhance strategic networking activities between the organizers and participants at national and European Union level.
  • Organization of an interlaboratory trial for the analysis of lipids in marine organisms.
  • Raise the awareness of end-users on the potential of aquaculture food as a sustainable food source of healthy lipids and boost consumer acceptance of products from aquaculture.

Expected Impact

The OMALI workshop is poised to make a significant impact by advancing research, collaboration, and innovation in the field of marine lipids. By fostering a comprehensive network of experts, the workshop will drive progress in understanding the nutritional, biotechnological, and environmental applications of marine lipids. Outcomes will include strategies for sustainable aquaculture, the development of eco-friendly lipid sources, and contributions to global health through improved nutrition and disease prevention. Additionally, the workshop will align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ocean Decade Challenge, promoting sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Through strategic partnerships and high-impact research outputs, OMALI will elevate EuroMarine's visibility and influence, reinforcing its role as a leader in marine science.

Registration

For registration and participation to this workshop you should reach out to Felisa Rey felisa.rey@ua.pt.