ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
RACHID GANGA
PRESIDENT
Complexe Horticole d'Agadir
MOROCCO
RACHID GANGA
Dr. Rachid Ganga has over 25 years of experience in aquaculture, including more than a decade in the industry, spanning Europe, Canada, and the United States.
He holds an engineering degree from IAV Hassan (2002), an International Master’s in Aquaculture (2004) from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), and a joint EU Ph.D. in Aquaculture Nutrition from ULPGC and the University of Stirling (Scotland). Dr. Ganga worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) in 2010 and as a senior scientist at AquaBounty (Canada) in 2011. He later served as Associate Director of Fish Nutrition at the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada (CATC) from 2012 to 2016.
Furthermore, Dr. Ganga worked at the Tyson Foods Discovery Center (Springdale, USA), where he held roles as Associate Director of Product Development and Associate Director of R&D Sustainability. In these roles, he led projects focused on valorizing animal by-products into feed, food, and nutraceutical ingredients, as well as advancing sustainable food and feed production systems using insects, algae, and other single-cell proteins.
Dr. Ganga has contributed as a member of the aquaculture scientific committee for the NSERC (Canada) Strategic Partnership Grant (Environment and Agriculture) and has served on the aquaculture committee of the American Feed Industry Association.
Dr. Ganga is currently a professor at the Complexe Horticole d’Agadir (CHA), where he leads the aquaculture department.
FELIX ACOSTA ARBELO
VICE-PRESIDENT
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
FELIX ACOSTA ARBELO
Dr. Félix Acosta Arbelo, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1969, completed his university studies at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he graduated in Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He defended his undergraduate thesis in 1999 and his Doctoral Thesis in 2002.
From the beginning, he worked in the field of ichthyopathology research, publishing at both national and international levels. After completing his Doctoral Thesis, his work has focused on immunology, particularly the study of the non-specific immune response. He has undertaken training periods at leading research centers (FRS Marine Laboratory, Scotland) and has published in top-tier journals in the field, as well as worked on biotoxin detection.
He is currently a Full Professor in the Animal Health Department, specializing in Infectious Diseases and Ichthyopathology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at ULPGC. He conducts his research at the University Institute of Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA) at ULPGC. He has participated in 26 publicly or privately funded projects at regional, national, or European levels, serving as principal investigator in 6 of them. He is co-author of 82 publications in international scientific journals and holds a patent (P201101353).
He has demonstrated strong teaching capabilities, participating since 2004 as a professor and currently as the director of the Master’s Program in Marine Aquaculture at ULPGC. He is also involved in the doctoral programs in Animal Health and Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems at ULPGC, all of which have received the Ministry’s Excellence distinction. His training experience includes supervising 9 doctoral theses, 3 master’s theses, and 12 master’s final projects.
DANIEL MONTERO VITORES
VICE-PRESIDENT
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
DANIEL MONTERO
ENEKO GANUZA
VP R&D at Iwi Life
USA
ENEKO GANUZA
Dr. Eneko has devoted the majority of his career, primarily in the USA, to advancing disruptive technologies and food ingredients based on microalgae.
Principal Investigator in some of the most prominent microalgae companies in the USA (Heliae, Qualitas Health/iwi), Dr. Eneko has pioneered areas such as the mixotrophic production of microalgae, the discovery of a new heterotrophic species, the development of treatment against predatory bacteria and the metabolic engineering of novel tailor-made nutritional oils against diabetes.
His achievements are evidenced by 30+ patents, 10+ peer-reviewed papers, and two FDA-notified dietary ingredients. Eneko holds a European PhD in Microbiology by the University of Hull (UK) and the University of Las Palmas (Spain) and is an active member of the American Oil Chemist Society, the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipid, the Algal Biomass Organization and the European Algal Biomass Organization.
SAMIRA SARIH
Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria
SPAIN
SAMIRA SARIH
Postdoctoral Researcher in Fish Reproduction and Nutrition.
Samira Sarih holds a PhD in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain). A specialist in marine fish reproduction and nutrition, she is particularly interested in improving reproductive performance and the quality of eggs and larvae in aquaculture species. Her work focuses notably on broodstock nutritional programming, hormonal induction protocols, and the application of biotechnological tools to study the effects of environmental stress factors such as temperature. She is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA, Catalonia, Spain), where she focuses on fish nutrition and health.
Dr. Sarih has participated in several competitive research projects funded by the European Union, as well as in Spanish national R&D&I programs. She is also involved in academic training, supervising undergraduate and master’s theses, and contributing to teaching in bachelor’s and master’s programs related to aquaculture, fish reproduction, and nutrition.
AHMED ELAZZAOUI
University Ibn Zohr of Agadir
MOROCCO
AHMED ELAZZAOUI
Dr. Ahmed Elazzaoui is a Moroccan marine scientist and ecotoxicologist with extensive expertise in coastal ecosystem health, aquaculture development, and environmental biomonitoring. Holding a PhD in Marine Sciences from Université Ibn Zohr and an Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Growth from the University of Trieste, he has led pioneering research on the environmental impacts of desalination and aquaculture in Morocco.
Currently serving as Director of the LABOMINE laboratory in Agadir, Dr. Elazzaoui oversees analytical operations, microbiology, and R&D, with a strong focus on ISO/IEC 17025 compliance and quality systems. His scientific contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications on biomarker responses, metal contamination, and marine biodiversity, and he has reviewed over a dozen international research articles in environmental and biological sciences.
As a university lecturer and field instructor, he has taught and mentored students across multiple Moroccan institutions, delivering courses in oceanography, ecotoxicology, and structural biochemistry. His commitment to education is matched by his active role in organizing national and international scientific events, including the Aqua-Morocco International Conference and the SMETox Congress.
A certified scuba diver and passionate environmental advocate, Dr. Elazzaoui combines rigorous scientific inquiry with hands-on fieldwork and community engagement. Fluent in Arabic, French, English, and Tamazight, he bridges academic, technical, and cultural domains to advance sustainable marine development in Morocco and beyond.
DRIOUCH HASSAN
Complexe Horticole d'Agadir
MOROCCO
DRIOUCH HASSAN
ANTONIO GOMEZ MERCADER
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
ANTONIO GOMEZ
ADNANE DJELLATA
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
ADNANE DJELLATA
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
NUTRITION
DANIEL MONTERO VITORES
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
DANIEL MONTERO
marisol izquierdo lopez
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
MARISOL IZQUIERDO
SAMIRA SARIH
Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria
SPAIN
SAMIRA SARIH
Postdoctoral Researcher in Fish Reproduction and Nutrition.
Samira Sarih holds a PhD in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain). A specialist in marine fish reproduction and nutrition, she is particularly interested in improving reproductive performance and the quality of eggs and larvae in aquaculture species. Her work focuses notably on broodstock nutritional programming, hormonal induction protocols, and the application of biotechnological tools to study the effects of environmental stress factors such as temperature. She is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA, Catalonia, Spain), where she focuses on fish nutrition and health.
Dr. Sarih has participated in several competitive research projects funded by the European Union, as well as in Spanish national R&D&I programs. She is also involved in academic training, supervising undergraduate and master’s theses, and contributing to teaching in bachelor’s and master’s programs related to aquaculture, fish reproduction, and nutrition.
DAVID DOMINGUEZ
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
DAVID DOMINGUEZ
GENETICS
JUAN MANUEL AFONSO LOPEZ
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
JUAN MANUEL AFONSO
MARIA JESUS ZAMORANO
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
MARIA JESUS ZAMORANO
MANUEL MANCHADO
Centro IFARA el Toruño
SPAIN
MANUEL MANCHADO
NEW SPECIES (DIVERSIFICATION)
GERCENDE COURTOIS DE VICOSE
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
GERCENDE COURTOIS DE VICOSE
JAVIER ROO
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
JAVIER ROO
Dr. Javier Roo Filgueira is an expert in Aquaculture and Blue Economy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Sciences from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an International Master’s in Marine Aquaculture from ULPGC, and a postgraduate degree from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. His Ph.D. in Marine Sciences was pursued at the Department of Biology at ULPGC, with research stints at international institutions such as the Institute of Marine Biology in Crete and the Aquaculture Research Center at Skreting-ARC in Norway.
Throughout his career, he has held roles in various leadership positions within the Government of the Canary Islands, including the Canary Islands Marine Science Institute (ICCM), the Directorate General for Security and Emergencies (DGSE), and the Canary Islands Agency of Research, Innovation, and Information Society (ACIISI), where he leads international R&D projects. He is an associate professor in the Department of Biology and Senior Scientist in the Aquaculture Research Group (GIA) at the Institute of Aquaculture and Sustainable Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA).
With over 25 years of experience, he has participated in 50 R&D projects, leading 10 projects funded through competitive calls. He currently coordinates the European project AQUAWIND, promoting the development of a multi-use platform for offshore wind energy production and aquaculture, and is the principal investigator of the National Aquaculture Plan for the Consolidation of Seriola Cultivation (PLANASER 2.0).
Dr. Roo has authored 155 research papers, with 75 published in internationally indexed journals within the top quartile (Q1), and an h-index of 26. He has presented over 150 papers at conferences and is a regular member of R&D project evaluation panels and a reviewer for international scientific journals. In education, he has been part of the teaching team for the International Master’s in Aquaculture at ULPGC since 2002, and has supervised doctoral theses and Master’s dissertations. In his professional trajectory, he has coordinated over 25 research and transfer agreements/contracts with private companies, showcasing his commitment to industry interaction and practical application of research.
ADNANE DJELLATA
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
ADNANE DJELLATA
PATHOLOGY
FELIX ACOSTA ARBELO
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
FELIX ACOSTA ARBELO
Dr. Félix Acosta Arbelo, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1969, completed his university studies at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he graduated in Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He defended his undergraduate thesis in 1999 and his Doctoral Thesis in 2002.
From the beginning, he worked in the field of ichthyopathology research, publishing at both national and international levels. After completing his Doctoral Thesis, his work has focused on immunology, particularly the study of the non-specific immune response. He has undertaken training periods at leading research centers (FRS Marine Laboratory, Scotland) and has published in top-tier journals in the field, as well as worked on biotoxin detection.
He is currently a Full Professor in the Animal Health Department, specializing in Infectious Diseases and Ichthyopathology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at ULPGC. He conducts his research at the University Institute of Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA) at ULPGC. He has participated in 26 publicly or privately funded projects at regional, national, or European levels, serving as principal investigator in 6 of them. He is co-author of 82 publications in international scientific journals and holds a patent (P201101353).
He has demonstrated strong teaching capabilities, participating since 2004 as a professor and currently as the director of the Master’s Program in Marine Aquaculture at ULPGC. He is also involved in the doctoral programs in Animal Health and Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems at ULPGC, all of which have received the Ministry’s Excellence distinction. His training experience includes supervising 9 doctoral theses, 3 master’s theses, and 12 master’s final projects.
FATIMA EL AMRI
Institut National de Recherche Halieutique
MOROCCO
FATIMA EL AMRI
SILVIA TORRECILLAS
IRTA
SPAIN
SILVIA TORRECILLAS
Silvia Torrecillas is a fish nutritionist with a strong focus on novel raw materials and functional feeds, particularly on the valorisation of low-value biomass and agri-food by-products.
She holds a degree in Marine Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as an MSc and PhD in Aquaculture from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
With extensive experience in the field and a long-standing collaboration between academia and the feed additives industry, she has led research on the effects of feed additives in fish—especially Mediterranean marine species—investigating their impact on fish nutrition, mucosal health, and disease resistance.
MOLLUSKS
GERCENDE COURTOIS DE VICOSE
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
GERCENDE COURTOIS DE VICOSE
FATIMA EL AMRI
Institut National de Recherche Halieutique
MOROCCO
FATIMA EL AMRI
MOHAMED IDHALLA
Institut National de Recherche Halieutique
MOROCCO
MOHAMED IDHALLA
AQUACULTURE SUSTAINABILITY
RACHID GANGA
Complexe Horticole d'Agadir
MOROCCO
RACHID GANGA
Dr. Rachid Ganga has over 25 years of experience in aquaculture, including more than a decade in the industry, spanning Europe, Canada, and the United States.
He holds an engineering degree from IAV Hassan (2002), an International Master’s in Aquaculture (2004) from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), and a joint EU Ph.D. in Aquaculture Nutrition from ULPGC and the University of Stirling (Scotland). Dr. Ganga worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) in 2010 and as a senior scientist at AquaBounty (Canada) in 2011. He later served as Associate Director of Fish Nutrition at the Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada (CATC) from 2012 to 2016.
Furthermore, Dr. Ganga worked at the Tyson Foods Discovery Center (Springdale, USA), where he held roles as Associate Director of Product Development and Associate Director of R&D Sustainability. In these roles, he led projects focused on valorizing animal by-products into feed, food, and nutraceutical ingredients, as well as advancing sustainable food and feed production systems using insects, algae, and other single-cell proteins.
Dr. Ganga has contributed as a member of the aquaculture scientific committee for the NSERC (Canada) Strategic Partnership Grant (Environment and Agriculture) and has served on the aquaculture committee of the American Feed Industry Association.
Dr. Ganga is currently a professor at the Complexe Horticole d’Agadir (CHA), where he leads the aquaculture department.
ENEKO GANUZA
VP R&D at Iwi Life
USA
ENEKO GANUZA
Dr. Eneko has devoted the majority of his career, primarily in the USA, to advancing disruptive technologies and food ingredients based on microalgae.
Principal Investigator in some of the most prominent microalgae companies in the USA (Heliae, Qualitas Health/iwi), Dr. Eneko has pioneered areas such as the mixotrophic production of microalgae, the discovery of a new heterotrophic species, the development of treatment against predatory bacteria and the metabolic engineering of novel tailor-made nutritional oils against diabetes.
His achievements are evidenced by 30+ patents, 10+ peer-reviewed papers, and two FDA-notified dietary ingredients. Eneko holds a European PhD in Microbiology by the University of Hull (UK) and the University of Las Palmas (Spain) and is an active member of the American Oil Chemist Society, the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipid, the Algal Biomass Organization and the European Algal Biomass Organization.
RICARDO HAROUN TABRAUE
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
SPAIN
RICARDO HAROUN