Bilbao, Spain
19 October 2026
The Horizon Europe-funded DigiWaves project marked its official launch in October, bringing together European partners to establish a shared vision for advancing digital innovation, transparency and sustainability in European fisheries.
The DigiWaves consortium gathered in Bilbao, Spain, from 13 to 15 October 2026, for its Kick-off Meeting, jointly organised by project coordinator ILVO and project partner AZTI. The event marked the beginning of a four-year collaboration dedicated to accelerating the digital transformation of small-scale, long-distance and recreational fisheries through innovative technologies and data-driven management.
Throughout the three-day meeting, partners exchanged expertise, aligned priorities and established the foundations for the work ahead. Discussions focused on the project's key activities, including digital readiness, innovative monitoring technologies, testing and validation, data quality and standardisation, policy harmonisation and stakeholder engagement.
The meeting also featured interactive Serious Games sessions, which encouraged collaboration and knowledge exchange, alongside dedicated discussions addressing the specific challenges and needs of the three fisheries types. On the final day, participants took part in a workshop exploring ethical guidelines, artificial intelligence and data sharing, reinforcing the importance of responsible digital innovation.Type your paragraph here
A shared vision for the future of European fisheries
As the project embarks on its four-year journey, Jade Maes, Scientific Researcher at ILVO and Project Manager of DigiWaves, highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of European fisheries: “The kick-off meeting in Bilbao was an important first step in building a shared vision for the future of digital fisheries in Europe. Through DigiWaves, we aim to bring together technological innovation, scientific expertise and the practical experience of those working in fisheries to develop solutions that are not only innovative, but also useful, accessible and adapted to real-world needs. By working across different fisheries sectors, we have an opportunity to strengthen data quality, build trust and support more sustainable fisheries management.”
Three fisheries. One digital transformation.
DigiWaves is a 48-month Horizon Europe Innovation Action, running from October 2026 to September 2030. Coordinated by ILVO, the project brings together 20 beneficiary organisations across Europe, combining expertise from research institutions, technology providers, fisheries organisations, public authorities and other stakeholders.
European fisheries face growing challenges related to sustainability, regulatory compliance, data quality and resource management. DigiWaves aims to address these challenges by developing, demonstrating and supporting the adoption of digital solutions tailored to the distinct operational and technological needs of small-scale, long-distance and recreational fisheries.
At the core of the project are 13 innovative digital solutions covering catch monitoring, vessel positioning, fishing operations and the monitoring of endangered, threatened and protected species. These technologies will support improved data collection, electronic monitoring, reporting and AI-powered analysis.
The project will also establish the DigiWaves Digital Platform, a secure, scalable and interoperable environment connecting digital tools and fisheries data. Alongside technological development, DigiWaves will strengthen digital readiness, promote knowledge sharing and contribute to evidence-based policy and governance frameworks.
By actively engaging fishers, researchers, authorities, policymakers and technology providers, DigiWaves aims to ensure that its innovations are practical, accessible and responsive to real-world needs.
Looking ahead
Following the successful completion of its Kick-off Meeting, the DigiWaves consortium is now preparing to advance its first project activities, laying the groundwork for developing, testing and validating innovative digital technologies in real-world fisheries contexts.
Over the next four years, partners will work together to translate technological innovation and collaborative research into practical solutions that improve fisheries data quality, strengthen monitoring and control, support informed decision-making and contribute to more sustainable marine resource management.
Follow the project as it takes shape:
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The DigiWaves journey has only just begun.
