On May 14, 2025, NOVAFOODIES hosted an interactive workshop at University College of Cork dedicated to exploring the future of novel and functional seafood and aquaculture products. The event brought together professionals from the seafood industry, researchers, and entrepreneurs to discuss how innovation can shape a more sustainable and competitive market.

The seafood and aquaculture sector is evolving rapidly, driven by consumer demand for healthier, traceable, and more environmentally responsible products. Our main goal was to increase knowledge about novel and functional foods and identify strategies for developing products that meet these expectations. The workshop also served as a platform to gather ideas for upcoming webinars that will address existing knowledge gaps.

Participants engaged in dynamic group sessions to tackle critical questions, including:

• What makes seafood and aquaculture products competitive in today’s market?
• How can we ensure strong consumer acceptance?
• What are the main challenges in the Novel Food application process and health claim declarations?
• How do we address safety and sustainability concerns across human health, environmental, social, and economic dimensions?

These discussions provided valuable insights that will guide future NOVAFOODIES activities and help shape innovative solutions for the sector.