The University of Gdańsk, an AquaLoop partner, is a dynamically developing public higher education institution and the largest university in the Pomerania region, with over 30,000 students and around 1,700 academic staff engaged in a wide range of disciplines, international consortia, and research projects. Within its Department of Oceanography and Geography, the university promotes research, demonstration, and training in aquaculture and the blue bioeconomy, operating laboratory-scale recirculating aquaculture systems and participating in numerous European initiatives such as INTERREG, EU FP, BONUS, and Erasmus, as well as being a member of the SUBMARINER Network. In the AquaLoop project, the University of Gdańsk leads WP2 “PilotLoops” and coordinates Pilot 1 (TARAS), focusing on the use of algae in recirculating aquaculture systems to enhance circularity in the South Baltic region.

The University of Rostock, as the AquaLoop Lead Partner, chairs the aquaculture and sea-ranching group and is responsible for coordinating national and international research projects as well as study programmes. It has a strong profile in research, education, and project management with a focus on recirculating aquaculture systems, aquaponics, and fish health, and provides one of Europe’s leading infrastructures open to the full value chain of stakeholders, ensuring high-quality cross-border project implementation. Within AquaLoop, the university operates the FishGlassHouse, one of Europe’s most advanced aquaponic research facilities, builds on experience from projects such as AQUAFIMA, InnoAquaTech, and AquaVIP, and coordinates Pilot 2 “NEMATIC,” which focuses on improving nutrient efficiency in commercial aquaculture through circular economy approaches.

Klaipėda University, an AquaLoop partner and regional marine university, plays a key role in the development of the Lithuanian coastal region and supports the implementation of ambitious regional blue economy strategies through its leadership in marine sciences, technology, and blue bioeconomy education across all levels from secondary to lifelong learning. It is a member of the EU CONEXUS consortium and the SUBMARINER Network, with extensive experience in international cooperation projects such as FP7, BONUS, Horizon 2020, LIFE+, and Interreg. Within AquaLoop, Klaipėda University leads WP3 “TrainingLoop,” focusing on youth career development through innovative training programmes and coordinates Pilot 3 (FISHVISA), an integrated aquaponics system combining fish, shrimp (and/or crayfish), and vegetables to demonstrate circular economy principles in recirculating aquaculture systems.

Bioeconomy Hotspot Guldborgsund is the municipal anchor for bioeconomy initiatives and serves as host and organizer of the annual Danish Bioeconomy Conference as well as the secretariat for the Agri-Aqua Innovation Partnership Denmark. With extensive experience in national and international projects, including several INTERREG initiatives, and active engagement in the Brussels EU Office of Region Zealand and the SUBMARINER Network EEIG, the municipality plays a key role in advancing sustainable blue growth. Within AquaLoop, Guldborgsund Municipality leads WP4 “SupportLoop,” focusing on the development and assessment of recirculating aquaculture systems in a Danish agricultural context, with particular emphasis on environmental, climatic, and economic sustainability and the integration of agri- and aquaculture to close nutrient loops.

The Fish Market Development Association (FMSA) has over fifteen years of market experience, a network of more than twenty institutional partners, and cooperation with over one hundred individuals, along with a strong organizational track record including more than fifteen conferences and multiple EMFF-funded projects as both lead and project partner. Its activities focus on knowledge transfer in modern fish farming technologies and innovative processing methods for aquaculture products, as well as aligning production with market conditions and consumer needs, including campaigns promoting fish consumption and addressing regulatory challenges in water use and aquaculture development. Within AquaLoop, FMSA strengthens the project’s science-to-business and business-to-policy interface by supporting the transfer of needs, demands, and solutions related to circular economy approaches in the aquaculture sector.

Gårdsfisk is engaged in feed development, manure management, energy efficiency, and commercialization, and serves as a practical test environment for research projects conducted by institutions such as the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, RISE, Stockholm Resilience Centre, and the Swedish Veterinary Institute. The company has participated in numerous publicly funded initiatives, including projects supported by the EU Maritime and Fisheries Fund, LEADER Skåne, the EU Agricultural Fund, Vinnova, Region Skåne’s Environmental Protection Fund, Almi, and the Sten K. Johnson Foundation. Within AquaLoop, Gårdsfisk contributes its practical expertise from Sweden to WP4 “SupportLoop,” supporting the assessment of establishing recirculating aquaculture systems on traditional Danish farms, including evaluations of environmental, climate, land-use, and economic impacts, as well as regulatory and design considerations for sustainable fish production systems.

VKST is one of Denmark’s largest agricultural consulting companies, with specialists covering accounting, taxation, business management, construction advisory services, crops, livestock, organic farming, nature management, and environmental and sustainability assessments, and with extensive experience in large-scale projects related to water catchment areas, carbon-rich soils, and environmental subsidy schemes. Within AquaLoop, VKST contributes to WP4 “SupportLoop” by translating Swedish aquaculture approaches into a Danish context and developing a business plan assessment to guide Danish farmers interested in transitioning into aquaculture. This includes analysing regulatory requirements, wastewater and nutrient management under Danish legislation, conducting an agri-to-aquaculture economic and ESG assessment, and supporting cross-border meetings, workshops, training, and dissemination activities.