Program

Hosted by Benjamin Owusu

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) techniques offer a transformative opportunity to mitigate climate change by harnessing the ocean’s natural carbon storage potential. This session invites Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from diverse backgrounds to explore, debate, and innovate in the field of mCDR. From Artificial Upwelling (AU) and ocean alkalinity enhancement to biological carbon pumps and sequestration through dissolved organic carbon (DOC), the session will address the breadth of emerging strategies in marine-based climate mitigation.

The ocean’s role as a carbon sink is central to the global climate system, yet mCDR techniques face challenges ranging from ecological trade-offs to uncertainties in scalability and efficiency under future climate scenarios. This session aims to provide a platform for critical discussions of these challenges, while fostering collaborations and sparking innovative ideas. Key themes will include the mechanisms driving mCDR processes, the role of microbial and biogeochemical interactions, and the potential for mCDR to complement terrestrial carbon removal approaches.

Whether you are modelling ocean-climate feedbacks, conducting field studies, or exploring governance frameworks for mCDR implementation, this session is for you. Through presentations, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities, we aim to empower ECRs to contribute to this rapidly evolving field.

Join us to exchange ideas, share research, and co-create solutions for a sustainable and resilient future. Together, let’s redefine the role of our oceans in combating the climate crisis and inspire actionable pathways for mCDR to make a meaningful impact.

Hosted by Olga Lukyanova

Healthy oceans play a critical role in supporting life on Earth, providing essential services such as food security, coastal protection, and climate regulation. However, much of the ocean is now considered overexploited, making the protection of marine living resources vital for human well-being. Recent advances in computational techniques, statistical analyses, animal tracking, genetic research, and other methodologies offer promising opportunities to enhance conservation and management strategies on a global, regional, and local scale. At the same time, there is a growing recognition of the need to integrate social science approaches to better understand the socio-ecological dynamics of marine resource use, enabling the development of more effective and equitable policies. Despite these advancements, persistent challenges and data gaps continue to hinder progress, exacerbating uncertainties in conservation outcomes – particularly in the face of ongoing and projected climate change impacts. This session aims to provide a platform for researchers from diverse disciplines to share insights, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches to addressing the challenges of conserving and sustainably using marine life.

Hosted by Susete Pinteus, Margarida Matias and ICYMARE

Marine ecosystems hold a wealth of natural resources rich in bioactive compounds, offering opportunities for sustainable innovation and economic growth. We welcome studies that focus on the sustainable exploration of marine-derived ingredients, particularly those that align with circular economy strategies to create environmentally-friendly products. We invite you to share with us your advancements in the discovery, extraction, and application of marine ingredients – ranging from pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to biodegradable materials and other biotechnological applications. By leveraging the sustainable exploration of marine biodiversity, we can significantly contribute to reducing our environmental footprints while unlocking the economic potential of coastal and marine sectors.

Hosted by Victoria Wegner and Jonathan Heimer

Coastal regions are among the most productive and biodiverse areas on Earth. Although they account for only 10 % of the global ocean surface, they are home to over 90 % of all marine species. For humans, coasts are equally essential: around 60 % of the global population lives within 60 km of a coastline, benefiting not only from a place to live but also from critical ecosystem services such as food, livelihoods, and natural protection. However, these regions face increasing threats from natural and anthropogenic hazards. Climate change intensifies these risks, with changing sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and other disruptions. Since the Industrial Revolution, global sea levels have risen by 20 cm, and the worst-case IPCC scenarios expect increases of up to 2 m by 2100. Coastal communities are at the forefront of these challenges, making coastal resilience a priority. Coastal resilience is the ability to adapt to changing conditions, withstand disruptions, and recover quickly from emergencies. But how can we assess coastal resilience effectively? What role do nature-based solutions play in enhancing resilience? Are there complementary technology-driven solutions that can mitigate risks? This session invites participants to explore approaches to coastal resilience, share knowledge, and discuss best practices. How can we learn from one another to protect these important regions? Join our session to exchange knowledge, collaborate, and explore practical solutions to protect and strengthen our coasts and coastal communities!

Hosted by Fabio Viotti and Catherine Golinvaux

Marine Bioacoustics provides critical insights into how organisms, from invertebrates to marine mammals, use sound for communication, navigation, mate attraction, and foraging. However, the rise in human-made noise (e.g. boat noise, sonar, pile-driving, wind turbines), disrupts these vital processes and can lead to altered behaviours, an increase in stress levels, displacement, and, in the most extreme cases, even injuries and mortality. By examining both intentional and incidental sounds in the marine environment, we can better understand how anthropogenic noise affects species at physiological, behavioural, and ecological levels, and move toward more effective mitigation strategies.

In this session, we invite early-career researchers to present studies on the acoustic behaviour of marine organisms, as well as innovative methods for characterizing animal calls, and to investigate the impacts of anthropogenic noise exposure. We also welcome contributions that discuss strategies to reduce noise pollution, along with policy and best practices to safeguard marine soundscapes from further degradation. We hope that, through the dialogue among the young experts in this field, we could broaden not only scientific knowledge but also strengthen global conservation efforts to reduce noise-related impacts.

Hosted by Naomi Krauzig, Marwa Baloza and Gabriel Akoko Juma

Polar regions are undergoing some of the most rapid and profound changes on the planet. The Southern Ocean, a major heat sink, has absorbed up to 62% of the global ocean heat gain in recent decades, significantly influencing the thermohaline circulation and ocean-ice interactions around Antarctica. In the Arctic, temperatures have risen nearly four times faster than the global average, accelerating sea ice loss and permafrost thaw. These changes are reshaping polar marine ecosystems, triggering cascading effects on biogeochemical cycles, microbial communities, and food web dynamics—ultimately impacting carbon sequestration and global climate feedbacks.

Despite their critical role in the Earth system, the polar regions remain among the least observed and understood environments. Their remoteness and extreme conditions pose significant challenges to scientific exploration, leaving many key processes unresolved.

This session invites interdisciplinary contributions that investigate the physical, chemical, and biological changes occurring in the polar regions. We encourage studies addressing oceanographic processes, ice-ocean interactions, sea ice retreat, permafrost erosion, and their impacts on biogeochemical cycles, microbial communities, and macrofaunal ecosystems. We also welcome research leveraging in situ platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gliders, drifters, moorings, and floats, as well as remote sensing and climate modeling approaches. Additionally, we invite contributions that integrate policy and societal perspectives to enhance our understanding of the future of the polar regions.

The discussions will provide a platform for early career researchers to share findings, exchange ideas, foster collaborations, and promote innovative approaches to observing and conserving these rapidly changing ecosystems. Join us in shaping the future of polar science through interdisciplinary research and technological innovation.

Hosted by Nagore Quintano, Tabea Platz and Malte Ostendarp

Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth, yet they are severely threatened by human-driven pressures. Climate change is the primary driver for reef degradation, causing rising water temperatures, ocean acidification and more frequent extreme weather events. These alterations trigger effects, such as coral bleaching, the emergence of diseases and alterations in the natural trophic structure of coral reefs. Projections for the upcoming century are alarming, with predictions pointing towards the loss of the majority of coral reefs as we know them today. For this reason, monitoring the health status and studying survival strategies of the coral holobiont under varying environmental conditions – both in the wild and in the lab – becomes critical for the design and implementation of effective conservation measures.

Join our session, in which we welcome contributions from all areas of coral reef research! We aim to create a platform for in-depth exploration of coral reefs addressing the associated challenges of conservation as well as the ecological and socio-economic implications. Together, we will tackle critical questions in coral reef research: How will coral species adapt to future ocean conditions? How can we mitigate the influence of increasing stress to sustain corals for future generations? Be part of this important conversation and share your insights, exchange ideas and collaborate on shaping the future of coral reef science.

Hosted by Roman Petrochenko und Vadim Merkin

Among the many forms of connections in marine ecosystems, symbiotic relationships stand out as a somewhat underrepresented topic in scientific research. However, their role in the evolution and biology of marine organisms must not be underestimated. The complex, sometimes bizarre nature of symbioses may influence the very balance of an ecosystem. Thus, understanding symbioses, from mutualism to parasitism, is an integral part of our efforts in marine conservation.

Join us in our session, where we aim to explore all the forms of symbioses – from parasitism to mutualism – and present the newest insights in their ecology. We want to create a platform where all contributors can share their perspectives. If you are interested in this topic, feel free to submit your abstract! Insights into any taxonomic groups or parts of the ocean are welcome, as we dive deep into a vast and complex world of biological connections.

Hosted by Linda del Savio

The governance of the world’s oceans is shaped by a multitude of processes and institutions, including regional bodies and United Nations agencies, resulting in a fragmented legal and institutional landscape. Recent developments at the international level include the adoption of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the ongoing negotiations of a plastic treaty and the proposed International/Intergovernmental Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS), among others. These efforts can serve as examples for shaping and contributing to sustainable ocean governance in a coordinated manner. However, the international ocean community is confronted with numerous challenges, including those related to marine pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss, which impede multilateral and collaborative efforts. Consequently, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches are imperative to address complex challenges and identify sustainable solutions, including practical governance approaches that integrate sustainability goals into individual policy areas. This integration is essential to develop effective measures to achieve zero pollution, climate and biodiversity targets and to protect the marine environment.

The main goal of this session is to examine the pivotal function of sustainable ocean governance and foster discussions among early career researchers and professionals from diverse disciplines. We welcome contributions from natural sciences, law, humanities and economics, acknowledging the oceans’ role as a unifying element connecting us geographically and professionally. Moreover, the session is intended to provide a space for researchers to explore the potential contributions of their research to the science-policy-society interface. Submit your research on ocean governance and join us in shaping a more connected and sustainable future for our oceans!

Hosted by Erik Sulanke

Stakeholder interaction has become a cornerstone of marine research and management, bridging the gap between science and society. The notion of the limitless ocean is long gone and replaced by often contradictory interests of industry, conservation, and governments, creating complex research questions for marine scientists. Answering these questions can immensely benefit from including non-scientific partners in all stages of research from design to conclusion. By fostering such participatory processes, we can harness the unique insights of diverse stakeholders to refine data collection, improve research outcomes, and shape pragmatic regulations that reflect ecological, economic, and social realities. From community-based fishery monitoring programs to interactive policy workshops, this session aims to provide a platform for results, initiatives, and approaches of all kinds. Together, we will discuss how researchers can embrace such partnerships to enhance research relevance and societal impact.

Hosted by Patricia Navarro Gonzalez and Tanushree Mundra

Ocean literacy explores the mutual influence of society and the ocean. Interacting with nature shapes societal attitudes and behaviours, which ultimately, when positive, support the sustainable use of natural resources. Without the human factor, most marine policies will not succeed. Therefore, though often overlooked in marine research, it is crucial to achieve the UN Sustainable Ocean Strategies by 2030. Effective ocean literacy is based on society’s access to a myriad of educational resources, incorporating traditional and historical knowledge of coastal communities into ocean management, providing engaging and emotional experiences through technological advances, and considering scientific knowledge in the policy-making process. While ocean literacy programmes tend to focus on engaging primary and secondary education levels, we would like to pivot the session towards ocean literacy that influences people of decision-making age. In this immersive session, we invite researchers that investigate around the seven principles of ocean literacy, whether that is through marine culture, social-economic impacts, artistic roots, communication, or education. We would like to bring in different expertise to highlight the complexity and diversity of ocean literacy approaches in science and to promote networking and the exchange of ideas. This session is the space you need to share the human dimension of your project and for researchers experienced in this topic to emphasize the importance of ocean literacy!​