NOVAFOODIES Factsheet °6 “Sea-based IMTA in Mulroy Bay: Integrating species from different trophic levels to improve the sustainability of European aquaculture” introduces the results of a case study carried out in Mulroy Bay, Ireland, where researchers explored the potential of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) to improve the sustainability of European aquaculture systems.

The study assessed how Atlantic salmon, blue mussels, and winged kelp can be cultivated together to enhance nutrient recovery, improve resource efficiency, and support a more circular approach to aquatic food production. Using field observations and advanced modelling tools, the research evaluated biological performance, nutrient cycling, and environmental interactions within a commercial-scale farming context.

Key findings showed that kelp cultivated within the IMTA system achieved a 13.4% higher harvest weight compared to monoculture production, while mussels and seaweed contributed to recovering nutrients released by salmon farming. These results highlight the potential of IMTA systems to transform nutrient losses into valuable resources and promote more sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture practices.

The factsheet also outlines practical recommendations to further improve system performance, including optimising farm positioning, expanding seaweed cultivation, and integrating additional species capable of enhancing nutrient recovery and environmental benefits. By combining productive efficiency with ecosystem services, IMTA represents a promising approach to supporting the objectives of sustainable aquaculture and the blue economy.

Factsheet #6 is part of the project’s final knowledge-sharing efforts, ensuring that key results and best practices remain available to researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the wider aquaculture community beyond the project’s lifetime. In fact, NOVAFOODIES research activities are about to conclude in October 2026, while the Consortium will finalize reporting activities by November 2026.

Discover Factsheet °6 in the Promo Material section of the NOVAFOODIES website and learn how IMTA can contribute to the future of sustainable European aquaculture!