Riding the Wave: Advancing the EU Ocean Pact through Science, Innovation and Cooperation – LifeWatch ERIC joins the discussions in Cyprus

On 11 and 12 May 2026, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union invited delegations to attend the Conference “Riding the Wave: Advancing the EU Ocean Pact through Science, Innovation and Cooperation”.

The event was organised by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID) of the Republic of Cyprus, together with the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence.

Representatives from EU institutions, Member States, research organisations, industry, and innovation platforms gathered together to explore how ocean science and maritime innovation can more effectively inform European policy, competitiveness, and sustainability.

LifeWatch ERIC’s CEO Christos Arvanitidis joined a panel in the Plenary Session 2: Restoring Ocean Health in Europe: From Marine Science to Policy, Innovation and Societal Action. The session explored how scientific knowledge, research infrastructures and innovative solutions can better support effective restoration policies and regulatory frameworks.

LifeWatch ERIC also participated with a booth in the exhibition space on Day 1, presenting some of its services and relevant activities, such as the ANERIS Intraspecific Variation Workflow (https://youtu.be/qGtW4wgH0bk?is=KG59EleeuCoqFkA0), and the RESTORE4Cs Documentary Series “Where Waters Breathe“. With over 300 participants, this was a great opportunity to engage in and contribute to the ongoing discussions with the European ocean community.

A key message that emerged throughout the conference, and that speakers repeatedly stressed, is that the ocean does not work in fragments, but rather as an interconnected system. Its protection demands an equally connected approach, that bridges research, policy and industry and is able to transform knowledge into action and tangible impact.

Read more about the event here: https://cyprusconferences.org/ridingthewave-cyprus2026, and enjoy the photo gallery and video!

Picture by CMMI.

“Marine SABRES in Fairs” joins Fishermen’s Day in Iceland

Marine SABRES in Fairs - Iceland

The next “Marine SABRES in Fairs” will take part in Fishermen’s Day in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, on June 7, 2026, joining a rich outreach and educational programme hosted and organised by the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute.

Fishermen’s Day, celebrated annually on the first Sunday of June, is a long-standing national tradition in Iceland that honours the country’s deep connection to the sea and its fishing heritage. Established in 1938, the celebration has evolved into a nationwide event featuring harbour festivities, cultural activities, and educational initiatives that engage communities of all ages with maritime life and ocean culture.

In this context, the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute will open its doors in at its headquarters in Hafnarfjörður, offering visitors a diverse programme that combines science, education, and hands-on activities. The event will include ship inspections aboard the research vessel Þórunn Þórðardóttir HF 300, access to the permanent fish exhibition Hafró, a series of interactive workshops related to marine research and coastal ecosystems, and marine science education activities with Marine SABRES.

Within this framework, Marine SABRES in Fairs will contribute through interactive materials and participatory learning experiences. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the impacts of human activities and environmental change on marine biodiversity, and to highlight the role of science in supporting more sustainable ocean governance.

Fore more information about the event, visit the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute website: https://www.hafogvatn.is/is/midlun/frettir-og-tilkynningar/skipaskodun-fiskisyning-fjoldyrasmidja-og-fraedsla-a-sjomannadaginm

For more information about the project, visit Marine SABRES official website: www.marinesabres.eu

LifeWatch ERIC in Lecce at the launch of the NBFC Biodiversity Gateway Demo Center

On 29 May 2026, the city of Lecce, home to the LifeWatch ERIC Service Centre, launches the new Demo Center of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) Biodiversity Gateway, Italy’s first national portal fully dedicated to biodiversity and coordinated by the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).

The Biodiversity Gateway seeks to build stronger relations between research institutions, local communities, schools, public administrations and businesses, fostering awareness and action around biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.

In this light, the Demo Center will act as a new public space where citizens can connect with scientific research on biodiversity through immersive and interactive installation, digital storytelling and participatory experiences: a new hub for science communication and public engagement. The aim is to make complex scientific knowledge more accessible, and the project is promoted by Italy’s National Research Council (CNR), together with Regione Puglia, the Polo Biblio-Museale di Lecce, the Province of Lecce, the University of Salento, and the DHITECH technological district.

LifeWatch ERIC is attending the event, that also features a showcase of some videos from the LifeWatching Web TV Science Channel, dedicated to biodiversity, ecosystems, scientific innovation and environmental challenge. The programme includes a round table at 12.40 CEST, focused on biodiversity as a value for businesses and local communities, that aims at exploring scenarios and potential pathways for development and innovation. Prof. Alberto Basset, Director of the LifeWatch ERIC Service Centre and Full Professor of Ecology at University of Salento, will join the panel together with representatives from CNR, NBFC, Confindustria Puglia, and ISPRA.

If you are in Lecce, stop by at the Teatrino of the former Convitto Palmieri, where the new Demo Center has been established. Enjoy a few videos from LifeWatch ERIC Web TV, and stop by LifeWatch Italy’s dedicated exhibition stand, featuring the Virtual Museum of Ecosystems and Natural Environments: an online, interactive, educational platform created by LifeWatch Italy together with CNR and the University of Salento that includes thematic environments such as mountain, Arctic, coastal wetland and semi-arid ecosystems, that can be virtually explored.

“Marine SABRES in Fairs” returns to FIMAR in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Marine SABBRES in Fairs - FIMAR 2026

From 22 to 24 May 2026, LifeWatch ERIC and ULPGC-ECOAQUA (University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems) presented the Marine SABRES project at FIMAR 2026 – Feria Internacional del Mar in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, co-organising a new event within the “Marine SABRES in Fairs” series.

Now in its 15th edition, FIMAR attracted more than 14,000 visitors over three days, offering a rich programme including commercial exhibitions, technical sessions, public talks, boat visits, nautical demonstrations, and educational activities for all audiences. Once again the fair confirmed its role as a key reference event for the blue economy in the Canary Islands.

Within this dynamic context, the Marine SABRES booth provided an interactive and engaging space where visitors could explore marine biodiversity, ecosystem conservation and restoration, and the role of research in supporting a sustainable blue economy. From the very beginning, the stand attracted a wide and diverse audience, including school students, families, young people, and curious visitors, all eager to learn more about the ocean and its ecosystems.

Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with the project through visual materials, like the documentary trailers, discussions, and hands-on experiences. One of the highlights was the demonstration of the Marine SABRES Serious Game, which received very positive and enthusiastic feedback from both younger and adult audiences. Designed as an educational tool for classrooms, the game introduces key concepts of marine biology and coastal ecology in an interactive way, sparking curiosity and encouraging learning through play.

Researchers from the ULPGC-ECOAQUA team also showcased the extraordinary biodiversity of Macaronesia, the project’s third Demonstration Area. Through scientific materials and samples, including rhodoliths, key components of valuable marine ecosystems in the Canary Islands, visitors were able to gain a deeper understanding of marine habitats and the importance of their protection and restoration.

Have a look at our photogallery, enjoy all the moments of this incredible event exploring marine biodiversity and ecosystems, sustainability and blue economy!

The next stop of “Marine SABRES in Fairs” will be Iceland, where we will join the celebrations of Fishermen’s Day on 7 June 2026, hosted by the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute. Discover more: https://www.lifewatch.eu/2026/05/29/marine-sabres-in-fairs-joins-fishermens-day-in-iceland/

For more information about the project, visit Marine SABRES official website:
www.marinesabres.eu

Invasive Alien Species in freshwater and marine environments

GuardIAS

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are animals, plants, fungi or other microorganisms that, introduced accidentally or intentionally in a different environment than their natural one, can bear serious consequences for the new environment (you can find several episodes of our Podcasts dedicated to this topic by clicking on the tag Invasive Alien Species).

Besides the negative impacts of IAS on biodiversity, ecosystem services, food security and human well-being, there is also a huge cost related to the management of these biological invasions. In addition to that, biodiversity conservation actions are often constrained by a lack of alignment between governance frameworks and the ecological reality, that operates regardless of political boundaries.

This aspect is addressed in a Policy Brief recently published by GuardIAS, a Horizon Europe project launched in 2025 that focuses on the growing threat of IAS in freshwater and marine environments.

Key points of the brief are the fragmentation of current EU invasive species policy, the inconsistencies occurring when scientific evidence and risk assessment are translated into decisions, and the barriers posed by socioeconomic drivers, trade pathways, and implementation gaps to existing regulations.

In parallel, the project team has also developed a Policy Brief on the role of biofouling, the gradual colonisation of an artificial hard substrate by a wide range of organisms, that end up developing complex three-dimensional communities. Beyond the negative impacts on operability, functionality and security of the affected systems, biofouling also carries biosecurity risks related to the introduction and spread of IAS (for example, when these organisms colonise a ship’s hull and are transported to different areas).

The authors conclude the briefs with a set of suggested solutions; if you are curious about them, find the full documents here:

In the image: a Lionfish (genus Pterois). The Lionfish is one of the 11 invasive species Case Studies of GuardIAS. Picture source: Wai Siew on Unsplash.

BEeS 2026: deadline extended for abstract submission

Deadline Extended - BEeS 2026

Originally set for 15 May 2026, the submission deadline has now been extended to 2 June 2026, offering additional time for researchers and practitioners to prepare and submit their short or long contributed sessions (10 or 15 minutes) within one of the selected topics.

The extended timeline is as follows:

  • Early submission: 15 May 2026 (evaluation by 22 May 2026)
  • Late submission: 2 June 2026

This extension aims to ensure broader participation from the biodiversity and ecosystem research community.

Participants are encouraged to take advantage of this additional time to submit abstracts for contributed presentations and be part of BEeS 2026, taking place from 7 to 10 July in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Submit your abstract here: https://www.lifewatch.eu/bees-2026-abstract-submission.