DIVERSIFY4Future advances EU aquaculture diversification through organic aquaculture, integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), aquaponic–polyculture systems, and cultivation of low trophic (LT) species. DIVERSIFY4Future delivers sustainable food for human consumption, circular feed resources, and climate-resilient production within a One Health framework. Targeting six key regions (the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Delta del Ebro lagoon, Nile Delta, inland waters of Central/Western Europe, and the northeast Atlantic), 10 small – and 5 commercial -scale studies validate innovations across 13 established and emerging novel LT species, advancing zero-waste practices, welfare, and resource efficiency. An interdisciplinary approach integrates natural and social sciences with strong stakeholder engagement to ensure technological, economic, and policy impact. Both the natural sciences (genetics, nutrition, fish biology/physiology, immunology, diseases, welfare and sensor technologies) and socioeconomics (economics, policy research, marketing, sociology) feed into different WPs (1,2,3,4,5,8), extend through WP6,7 and are exploited through WP9. WPs 1–5 deliver innovations in sustainable feed, production diversification (IMTA, Organic, Aquaponics, LT) promoting health, welfare, and smart technologies. WP6 contributes Social Sciences and Humanities perspectives, providing consumer information, economic growth, job creation. It evaluates the nutritional and health benefits of the LT rabbitfish for human consumption with a human study. It explores consumer acceptance, fair pricing, and regional needs. WP7 integrates health and environmental findings, applying a One Health approach and life-cycle/Environmental Footprint methods. WPs 8–10 address regulatory frameworks, competitiveness, stakeholder engagement, and impact. Aligned with EU Strategic Guidelines (2021–2030), the project supports diversification, sustainability, and societal acceptance of European aquaculture.
