Marc Verdegem

Marc Verdegem is an Associate Professor in Aquaculture and Fisheries at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on advancing sustainable aquaculture practices through innovative technologies like biofloc systems, nutrient utilization optimization, and integrated multi-trophic approaches. Key areas include improving feed efficiency, microbial community dynamics, and environmental resilience in aquaculture systems, particularly for tilapia and shrimp.

He has supervised 26 PhD candidates, including notable research on nutrient retention in ponds, polyculture strategies, and mangrove conservation in aquaculture. His projects emphasize circular economy principles, such as reusing plant residues and exploring enzyme/probiotics to enhance low-quality diets. Collaborations span institutions like WorldFish and involve field experiments in Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Verdegem contributes to datasets on sustainable feed formulation and biofloc microbiome studies. His work bridges theoretical modeling (e.g., nutrient cycling, microbial interactions) with applied practice, aiming to reduce aquaculture's carbon footprint and support small-scale farmers. Activities include organizing conferences like Aquaculture Europe 2020 and delivering expert commentary on aquaculture challenges and solutions.