Partners

Connecting research, industry and society across the Atlantic Area

10 organisations 4 countries

Universidad de Cantabria

Project Coordinator

The UC team, which belongs to the Development of Chemical Processes and Pollution Control (DePRO) within the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, possesses significant expertise in the activities necessary for the successful completion of the project. The DePRO research group has participated in and coordinated multiple European projects, generating advanced methods and tools for environmental assessment, circular economy and resource-efficient production.

Lead Partner, responsible for overall project coordination and development of the environmental traceability framework and LCA integration.

University of Aveiro

The University of Aveiro has experience in the development and application of life cycle thinking tools (such as Life Cycle Assessment, Water and Carbon Footprints and Material Flow Accounting) to a variety of products and sectors, including seafood.

Contributes to environmental assessment, circular strategies and methodological development across the project, complementing partners’ strengths in sustainability and marine systems.

IPMA — Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere

IPMA is Portugal’s national authority for marine research, fisheries, aquaculture, climate and ocean monitoring. They have focused on sustainable exploitation of marine resources, including fish and shellfish utilisation, quality monitoring and support to fish/aquaculture producers and industry.

IPMA leads WP2, coordinating stakeholder engagement and the development of pilot case studies to test and validate the SMART4SEA platform with end users such as restaurants and supermarkets. They also contribute to the environmental assessment and to the nutritional profiling, contaminant analysis and intake recommendations.

University of Galway

The University of Galway is an established centre of excellence in marine sustainability, circular economy, waste reduction and environmental policy. Its research groups have a long history of participating in Atlantic Area and Horizon Europe projects, with strong links to blue economy stakeholders.

WP3 leader, leading the development of Blue Circular Strategies and the food loss and waste analysis in the seafood sector.

University College Dublin

UCD is one of Ireland’s leading universities with significant experience in environmental engineering, marine pollution and microplastic dynamics. Its research groups have led multi-year EU projects on microplastic transport, modelling and contaminant monitoring in marine environments.

Leads activities on microplastic fate and transport in WP3 and contributes analytical and modelling expertise for seafood contamination assessment.

ANFACO-CTYMA

ANFACO-CTYMA is a major seafood industry association representing more than 250 companies, supported by a high-level technological centre specialised in food safety, seafood processing, traceability, innovation and industrial sustainability. It has extensive experience in EU research programmes and strong connections with the seafood sector.

Provides direct access to seafood companies, supports traceability and technological activities, facilitates testing with industry, and contributes to communication and dissemination efforts.

Bitcliq Technologies

Bitcliq is a specialised digital technology company with a decade of experience in developing ICT systems for fisheries and food supply chains. It is recognised for blockchain-based traceability, AI solutions, fleet monitoring systems and smart data platforms, including Big Eye and Lota Digital.

Leads the development of the ICT infrastructure and the SMART4SEA digital platform, including blockchain nodes, landing checkpoint solutions, APIs and data collection tools.

ARVI INNOVAPESCA

ARVI INNOVAPESCA is the largest vessel owners’ organisation in Spain and a major reference in Europe. It works closely with public authorities on fisheries management, sustainability policies, circularity initiatives and the Common Fisheries Policy. ARVI has extensive experience in traceability, marine waste reduction and responsible fishing practices.

ARVI leads the activities related to the social dimension of the fisheries sector within WP3, addressing challenges such as generational renewal, labour conditions and sector attractiveness. It also supports the validation of the SMART4SEA traceability system through real case studies with fishing fleets and industry stakeholders, ensuring practical relevance and real-world applicability.

Valorial

Valorial is a leading agri-food innovation cluster that supports companies and researchers in developing sustainable and innovative food solutions. It brings strong capabilities in communication, market insights, stakeholder engagement and transnational cooperation across the food ecosystem.

WP4 leader. Develops the Communication & Dissemination Strategy, coordinates outreach actions, creates the project’s visual identity and supports stakeholder engagement.

University of Porto

The University of Porto is a Portuguese research university with established expertise in marine biology, food contamination, microplastic quantification and environmental impact studies. It has participated in key projects on marine litter and persistent organic pollutants in seafood.

Contributes to WP3 by analysing microplastics and contaminants in seafood products, supporting environmental and food safety assessments.