Seabream (Sparus aurata) and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farming represent a significant share of European aquaculture production, much of which relies on open-cage systems that increase exposure to pathogens and emerging antimicrobial resistance risks.

AquaMed addresses the growing challenge of disease management in Mediterranean aquaculture

Current diagnostic approaches based on molecular and probe technologies improve speed and specificity but remain constrained by incomplete reference databases and limited capacity to detect novel or evolving pathogens. This limits their effectiveness in preventing production losses and safeguarding fish health.The project develops advanced diagnostic tools using MALDI-TOF and ddPCR to enable rapid and precise pathogen identification.In parallel, it explores immunisation-like strategies through encapsulated immunogenic peptides to support disease control. Together, these approaches aim to strengthen pathogen surveillance, improve response capacity, and enhance the sustainability and resilience of European aquaculture systems.