The recent milestone achieved by the offshore aquaculture venture Mariculture Systems is another example of how innovation and sustainability are coming together to shape that future.

In late September, Mariculture Systems Portugal reached an important step in its journey by receiving the Selo de Idoneidade, an official recognition from the Portuguese National Innovation Agency. This certification allows the company to carry out research and development in the field of marine technology and aquaculture. It may sound technical, but it is a powerful signal that Portugal is open for innovation in the blue economy. It enables Mariculture Systems to strengthen its collaboration with universities, marine research institutions, and technology companies, and to attract new investors who see the ocean as a driver of sustainable growth.

This project, based off the Algarve coast, aims to develop large-scale offshore aquaculture systems that combine advanced engineering, automation, and renewable energy. It will allow the sustainable production of species such as sea bass and sea bream while protecting marine ecosystems. For Portugal, it is an important step in proving that we can balance economic development with environmental responsibility.

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about another inspiring experience at the forum I was invited to attend in Cascais, organized by Marianne Larned, author of the book Stone Soup for a Sustainable World. That event gathered extraordinary people already working in the blue economy here in Portugal, sharing projects, solutions, and above all, a sense of collective purpose. Listening to their stories, I felt a strong conviction that Portugal is becoming a true leader in this global transformation.

Now, with the Mariculture Systems milestone, that conviction feels even stronger. Each new initiative reinforces the idea that Portugal is not only following trends but setting them. From innovative research to responsible investment, from ocean energy to aquaculture, we are seeing a generation of thinkers and entrepreneurs turning sustainability into tangible progress.

Portugal has the right conditions to lead: an extensive coastline, experienced research institutions, a culture of collaboration, and growing recognition from the international community. The ocean has always been part of who we are, but today it also represents who we aspire to be as a nation that connects innovation, science, and sustainability in everything it does.

As someone who has followed these developments closely, I find it deeply inspiring to see how projects like this are shaping our future. “The blue economy is no longer a distant concept; it is a living reality taking form right here, in Portugal.” The Mariculture Systems project once again proves what I truly feel. That our country is leading by example, showing that prosperity and sustainability can grow together, guided by the rhythm of the sea.