Aquaculture production is characterized by low carbon emission per kg protein relative to other food producing sectors. Innovation has been driving improvements in the efficiency, competitiveness, and overall sustainability of aquaculture with important progress over the last decade, especially in the field of feed conversion efficiency, and thus further decreasing the carbon footprint. However, efficient and cost-effective control of pathogens remains among the main challenges for the sector, calling for novel green solutions. By developing sustainable strategies to prevent and control bacterial pathogens in trout aquaculture, using bacteriophages, AQUAPHAGE will contribute to increase production efficiency and reducing the environmental burden of aquaculture. The project will produce and test prototype products targeting the bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum (F. p.) in eggs, larvae and juveniles, and bring them to a technological readiness level that allows commercialization post project. The proposed methodology represents a pioneering approach to future sustainable and antibiotic-free aquaculture practices targeting different stages and processes in the production cycle. By targeting this pathogen with novel tools, AQUAPHAGE aims at developing antimicrobial products with a global market potential, reducing the use of antibiotics and supporting a green transition of the aquaculture industry.

Ground- and drinking water are under increasing pressure from a wide range of contaminants and current monitoring strategies are unable to expose the full contaminant picture. Thus, stakeholders in the water supply value chain face the common major problem of not knowing the real water quality of ground- and drinking water. With the AQUAPLEXUS-tool we propose a solution to this problem by developing a novel multi-faceted tool assembling cutting-edge omics-based technologies. The tool comprises the complete chemical fingerprint of water samples and a data storage solution to establish a water data archive for retrospective analysis. Application of the tool will prepare the Danish water suppliers, sub-supplying industry, and authorities for future challenges by: - supporting production of high-quality drinking water - maintaining high consumer trust - inhibit negative health effects - saving time and costs on test and mitigation procedures - complying to new legislation with a minimum of costs - boosting industrial competitive advantages Stakeholders from the entire water supply value chain (water utilities, material suppliers, authorities, commercial analytical laboratories, and researchers) are participating in the AQUAPLEXUS project to ensure compliance with the urgent needs of today’s water supply, readiness for successful implementation of the results in legislation, and exploration of business opportunities incl. export potentials in tests and certified products.