Revolutionizing Aquaponics: A Smart Leap Toward Zero-Waste Farming
Aquaponics – a sustainable farming method that combines fish farming (aquaculture) and plant cultivation (hydroponics) – is often hailed as a blueprint for the future of food. This closed-loop system allows fish waste to feed plants, while plants purify the water that recirculates back to the fish tanks. It dramatically reduces water use, eliminates synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and delivers fresh, local, organic produce.
Yet, aquaponics isn’t without its challenges. One persistent barrier to long-term efficiency in these systems is the gradual accumulation of solid organic waste. Left untreated, this sludge can suffocate plant roots, disrupt nutrient cycles, increase disease risks, and ultimately compromise system productivity – forcing many operators into costly and frequent maintenance, or even closure.
That’s where SWIMS comes in a game-changing innovation developed by Aquaponics Iberia, a Portuguese R&D leader in sustainable aquaculture. Short for Solid Waste Integrated Management System, SWIMS is a smart, modular solution designed to solve aquaponics’ waste bottleneck while boosting sustainability and productivity.
SWIMS reimagines aquaponic system design through a multi-loop structure: separating solid waste, processing it in a high-oxygen biodigester, and reintroducing it into the system as liquid biofertilizer – all monitored and regulated by smart sensors and a cloud-based dashboard.
This allows for:
- Up to 30% more water savings,
- 50% fewer maintenance interventions,
- Enhanced root health and plant productivity,
- And preservation of true organicity and food safety in balanced aquaponics systems.
Now, with the support of the Blue Shuttle programme, Aquaponics Iberia is taking SWIMS to the next level.
The Blue Shuttle Challenge: Building the Smartest Aquaponics System Yet
In partnership with the Blue Shuttle project, co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Portuguese challenge invites startups and technology providers to help digitally transform SWIMS into an intelligent, fully automated system for next-gen aquaponics.
The goal: integrate IoT sensors, real-time data monitoring, AI-based analytics, and automation to optimize water quality, anticipate system disruptions, and allow precise adjustments – even remotely. From nutrient levels to oxygen saturation and waste concentrations, every parameter will be tracked, interpreted, and actioned through a smart dashboard and mobile interface. This will drastically reduce manual labor and make aquaponics more precise, scalable, and resilient than ever before.
Solutions should be:
- Modular and interoperable,
- Easily replicable across urban, coastal, and rural environments,
- Compatible with AI-powered insights for better decision-making,
- And geared for cloud and mobile integration to support off-site monitoring and automation.
What is Blue Shuttle?
Blue Shuttle is a European project co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme, implemented by a consortium of seven organizations from Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland. It aims to foster innovation in the blue economy by connecting real-world environmental and sustainability challenges with cutting-edge solutions from startups and SMEs.
Through expert mentorship, real-life testing, and cross-border cooperation, Blue Shuttle accelerates the transition toward smarter, greener, and more resilient ocean-based economies.
Ready to transform Aquaponics?
If your startup or tech company is working on IoT, AI, digital farming or environmental monitoring, this is your opportunity to lead a breakthrough in sustainable food systems.
Apply now to the Blue Shuttle Open Call and become the next innovation partner in the aquaponics revolution. The deadline to apply is April 30th.
Applications are open to startups and SMEs from the Atlantic Area (Portugal, Spain, France, and Ireland).
Let’s build the future of aquaponics – smarter, cleaner, and truly circular.
