European Researchers’ Night 2026: taking science across Europe

European Researchers' Night 2026

On 25 September 2026, LifeWatch ERIC and its Distributed Centres participated in several initiatives of the European Researchers’ Night (#ERN), bringing biodiversity science, research and innovation closer to citizens across Europe.

  • Understanding the importance of marine ecosystems

In Lecce, Italy, the former Olivetani Monastery hosted a series of informative events, such as project booths, documentary projections, and small-scale reconstructions of extremely fascinating scientific experiments. The Marine SABRES project was present with a “Marine SABRES in Fairs” booth.

Visitors could test the Marine SABRES Serious Game, developed by LifeWatch ERIC as an interactive experience designed to explore the complex relationships between human activities, marine ecosystems, and human well-being, while reflecting on the choices and trade-offs involved in achieving a more sustainable future.

The event also featured the screening of “Tides of Balance”, the Marine SABRES documentary directed by Fabrizio Lecce, offering perspectives on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the sustainable use and management of marine ecosystems.

  • Exploring solutions for mine-impacted waters

The ERN in Huelva, Spain, included a series of activities, interactive labs, and dialogues promoted by the University of Huelva with the objective to bring science closer to the public. The RECUP-DAS project was there, and presented a workshop on “Ecological treatment of acid mine drainage”, through the Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry Group of the University of Huelva (one of the project partners).

The workshop introduced the technology at the core of RECUP-DAS: Dispersed Alkaline Substrate (DAS), a passive treatment system that can neutralise the acidity of water from mining-impacted sites while efficiently retaining metals.

The technology was developed by researchers of the Tharsis research group at the University of Huelva, and will be applied as part of RECUP-DAS in the surroundings of Mina La Poderosa, by building a new DAS treatment plant within the Tinto and Odiel river basins, historically affected by the presence of metals. A real-time monitoring system developed by LifeWatch ERIC will also support the creation of a digital twin of the treatment plant, demonstrating how digital technologies can contribute to environmental monitoring and research.

  • Learning about the herborisation of algae specimens

In Porto, Portugal, the ERN rolled out with interactive experiences, demonstrations with scientists, games, workshops, and much more. The Portuguese National Distributed Centre of LifeWatch ERIC is managed by PORBIOTA. In Porto, Portugal, PORBIOTA was represented by the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto at the European Researchers’ Night held at the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health.

As part of the “Bridges for Science” project, the team organised a workshop on the herborisation of algae specimens, offering participants a hands-on opportunity to explore biodiversity research and scientific collections.

Overall, participating in these initiatives across Europe has been a great chance to bring scientific work beyond the research community, where it can open a dialogue with citizens and show the value of biodiversity and ecosystem research to address environmental challenges.

Tides of Balance: the new documentary by Marine SABRES on the conservation of marine ecosystems

Marine SABRES video documentary

The EU-funded project Marine SABRES is preparing to launch Tides of Balance, a video documentary on the importance of protecting the delicate balance between marine biodiversity and the communities that depend on it. Marine SABRES, acronym for MARINE Systems Approaches for Biodiversity Resilience and Ecosystem Sustainability is dedicated to improving the management of Europe’s oceans and seas. Part of this effort involves bringing scientific research closer to the public, showing what it means to live with the sea, and why healthy marine ecosystems are essential for both nature and society.

The documentary is built on the voices and experiences of researchers, stakeholders, and local communities. Their stories engage a reflection on how small, practical actions can contribute to protect marine life in the face of climate change and the environmental transformations rapidly affecting our planet.

Tides of Balance follows scientists and coastal communities across Europe as they work together to understand – and respond to – these threats. Directed by Fabrizio Lecce, the documentary is set across three regions, the Tuscan Archipelago, the Arctic Northeast Atlantic and Macaronesia. Moving between landscapes and cultures, it offers an in-depth perspective on the intertwined relationship between people and the sea.

Through interviews, field research, and wildlife footage, it explores issues such as the impact of climate change on fisheries, the pressures of tourism, and the effort to find a balance between conservation and economic needs, between protecting the environment, and sustaining the local communities.

The documentary will soon be available on the LifeWatch ERIC Science Channel:
https://www.lifewatching.tv/tv-show/marine-sabres.

Stay tuned!

With the Marine SABRES team and:

  • Sveinn Agnarsson – Professor at School of Business – University of Iceland
  • Thor Sigfusson – Founder and Chairman of Iceland Ocean Cluster
  • Juana Ojeda García – Secretary of the Fishermen Association of Agaete & President of the Coastal Action Group of Gran Canaria
  • Raúl García Brink – Councillor for Environment, Climate, Energy, and Knowledge at Cabildo de Gran Canaria
    Island Government of Gran Canaria
  • Yonathan Ojeda Santana – Delegate in the Canary Islands at ARCOS Nautical Academy
    and the Madrid Federation for Motorboating
  • Javier Zaera Fernández – Owner of Spirit of the Sea

Exploring Ocean Connections Through Interactive Science with “Marine SABRES in Fairs” in Iceland

MarineSABRES in Fairs - Iceland

On 7 June 2026, the “Marine SABRES in Fairs” initiative took part in the Fishermen’s Day celebration (Sjómannadagurinn) in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, contributing to a public outreach event organised by the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun – Hafró), with the support of LifeWatch ERIC for Marine SABRES activities.

The annual celebration, deeply rooted in Iceland’s maritime culture, brought together a broad audience and offered a valuable opportunity to engage the public with marine science. In this context, Marine SABRES and the ICEWATER projects set up an interactive space dedicated to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and the relationship between people and the ocean.

Marine SABRES focused on topics such as food webs, ecosystem connectivity, fisheries, marine research, and the human dimension of marine systems, while ICEWATER highlighted coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity. Visitors were invited to explore these themes through a combination of visual materials, informal discussions, and hands-on activities.

Throughout the day, visitors were introduced to the Marine SABRES project through presentations, visual displays, and interactive activities, including the serious game developed by LifeWatch ERIC. Participants could build marine food webs, explore fish otoliths (ear bones) used by scientists to estimate fish age, learn about cod anatomy, discover how researchers study the ocean using research vessels and scientific equipment, observe live phytoplankton through a microscope connected to a display screen, and take part in a range of hands-on activities and puzzles.

The programme also extended outdoors, where visitors could explore a fish exhibition featuring a variety of species, including crabs, cephalopods, and deep-sea organisms. Many also had the opportunity to visit Hafró’s newest research vessel, Þórunn Þórðardóttir, and learn more about marine research at sea.

The event welcomed a steady flow of visitors throughout the day, including families, students, tourists, and local residents. It provided an excellent opportunity to showcase Marine SABRES research in an accessible and interactive way, demonstrating how science communication can strengthen ocean literacy and foster dialogue between researchers and society. The combination of hands-on activities, visual storytelling, real scientific material, immersive underwater footage, and direct interaction with researchers encouraged visitors not only to learn about marine ecosystems and fisheries, but also to discuss how people, science, and the ocean are connected.

Take a look at our photogallery and relive the highlights of the day, exploring fisheries, marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and ocean research.

We would like to thank all volunteers and collaborators from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute for their contribution to the event, and especially Sandra Rybicki for the collaboration and for providing the summary text and photographs.

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

“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

“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

Marine SABRES in Fairs in Gran Canaria at FIMAR 2026

Marine SABRES Fairs - FIMAR 2026

Marine SABRES in Fairs will make its next stop in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on May 22-24, 2026, where LifeWatch ERIC and ULPGC-ECOAQUA will co-organise a series event at FIMAR 2026 – Feria Internacional del Mar, showcasing the project’s results and resources.

Now in its 15th edition, FIMAR is a well-established regional reference event for professionals in the nautical and marine-maritime sector and a key driver of the Blue Economy in the Canary Islands. This year’s theme, “Outermost Regions and the Sea”, highlights the strategic role of these territories in marine innovation, sustainable development, and Atlantic cooperation. The event is promoted by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Port Authority of Las Palmas, and organised by Infecar Feria de Gran Canaria and Ciudad de Mar.

FIMAR offers a rich and diverse programme combining commercial exhibitions, technical sessions, scientific outreach, and educational and recreational activities for all audiences, including families. It provides an important platform for companies and professionals to exchange knowledge and explore new opportunities, while also enabling marine and coastal researchers to raise public awareness about marine ecosystems and environmental protection.

Within this dynamic context, LifeWatch ERIC and ULPGC-ECOAQUA will welcome visitors at their exhibition booth, where participants will be able to discover the Marine SABRES project through posters, brochures, thematic videos, and documentary materials.

Building on its continued success, the latest edition attracted more than 18,000 visitors, including local residents of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, tourists, and participants from across Spain and Europe. This will be an opportunity to interact with experts, explore innovative approaches to marine sustainability, and discover how Marine SABRES contributes to turning knowledge into action.

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

Watch our documentary trailers on LifeWatching.tv: https://www.lifewatching.tv/tv-show/marine-sabres/

Marine SABRES School Competition returns for its last edition on 22 May

Marine SABRES School Competition - Final Edition

Marine SABRES is launching the third and final edition of its Serious Game School Competition, inviting secondary schools across Europe to take part in a unique learning experience focused on the ocean. Registration is now open for teachers.

The event will take place on 22 May 2026, in occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity and the European Maritime Day, from 09:00 to 17:00 CEST.

Following the previous edition, which brought together 13 classes from 5 schools across Europe, the competition continues to grow as a space for collaboration between classrooms and researchers.

Over the course of the day, students will explore ways human communities can manage, protect, and benefit from marine ecosystems through an online serious game developed together with a European network of researchers. Classes will move through a series of challenges and quizzes, using the game as a starting point for discussion and learning.

This initiative is designed for teachers of natural and social sciences, English and CLIL, citizenship, and environmental or sustainability education, and supports both lower (10-13) and upper (14-18) secondary students. Only teachers can register and, on the day of the School Competition, they will mentor their students while they play the online serious game.

Now in its final edition, the School Competition marks the closing chapter of the Marine SABRES educational journey: an opportunity for schools to take part in a shared European experience that brings science and sustainability into the classroom in a practical way.

Registration is open until the day of the event. Teachers can sign up their class and join the final edition here: https://zfrmz.eu/HwvUDABMlOFCTr9UY0ch

Marine SABRES in Fairs: a stop in Pisa to explore marine ecosystems and local challenges

Marine SABRES in Fairs - Pisa

The ‘Marine SABRES in Fairs’ initiative reached Pisa for a new stop dedicated to dialogue, knowledge exchange, and marine ecosystem restoration. The event took place within the third round of stakeholder consultations, organised by HuFoSS together with the University of Pisa.

At the Marine SABRES stand, students, researchers, PhD candidates, and stakeholders were invited to discover how marine research connects with everyday life and coastal realities. Through visual materials, videos, and direct interaction with project representatives, visitors explored the objectives and results of Marine SABRES and its contribution to ecosystem-based management.

A central focus of the Pisa edition was the Tuscan Archipelago Demonstration Area. Particular attention was given to restoration actions addressing the degradation of Posidonia oceanica meadows, key marine habitats that are increasingly impacted by human activities, especially tourism pressure along Mediterranean coasts.

The stand also featured documentary trailers produced by the LifeWatch Italy Multimedia Production Centre, offering participants a visual insight into the project’s work and the environmental challenges faced across different marine regions. These short previews helped translate scientific research into accessible stories, fostering awareness and engagement among diverse audiences.

We warmly thank everyone who joined us in Pisa and contributed to the discussion with their interest and questions. If you were unable to attend, the documentary trailers are available on LifeWatching.tv.

For more information, please visit Marine SABRES official website: www.marinesabres.eu

From science to society: Marine SABRES in Fairs lands in Pisa

Marine SABRES in Fairs at stakeholder meeting in Pisa - 14 January 2026

Marine SABRES in Fairs will make its next stop in Pisa on 14 January 2026, bringing the project’s results and resources to the University of Pisa.

The initiative aims to engage students, researchers, and citizens in exploring how Marine SABRES connects science, policy, and society to protect marine ecosystems and foster a sustainable blue economy.

The event will take place within the third round of stakeholder consultations, hosted by the Marine SABRES project and organised by HuFoSS (Hummel Foundation for Sustainable Solutions) and the University of Pisa. The meeting represents an important moment of dialogue with local actors and experts, aimed at testing and refining the tools co-designed within the project to support sustainable marine management and policy.

From 14:30, students, researchers and all those interested in the topic are invited to join the open session dedicated to the Tuscan Demonstration Area and discover our stand, including posters, thematic videos, the documentary trailer, brochures and best practices that have emerged from the Marine SABRES approach, with simple and replicable tools for administrations, operators and communities.

This will be an opportunity to learn more about the project’s activities, interact with experts, and discover how innovative tools developed within Marine SABRES can turn ideas into action for the marine environment.

🗓️ 14 January 2026 | 14:30
📍Polo San Rossore | Room SR D1 | Via Risorgimento 19 – Pisa

Meet us in Pisa and experience how science supports marine sustainability!

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

Highlights: ‘Marine SABRES in Fairs’ at the EU Researchers’ Night 2025

Marine SABRES in Fairs - ERN 2025

For one night, research and discovery took centre stage in Lecce at the European Researchers’ Night – ERN Apulia Med 2025. LifeWatch ERIC welcomed more than 80 visitors at its ‘Marine SABRES in Fairs’ stand, offering an immersive journey into marine biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and the future of the blue economy.

Children, families, students, and curious citizens explored the results of Marine SABRES, a Horizon Europe project that is working across Europe to restore marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable use of ocean resources. Posters, brochures, videos and hands-on materials guided the audience through the project’s work and its mission to make ecosystem-based management more practical and achievable.

One of the highlights of the night was the preview of the Marine SABRES Serious Game. For the first time, young visitors could try out the interactive online game, ahead of the official School Competition scheduled for World Fisheries Day, 21 November 2025. The game is designed for students between 10 and 18 years old and helps them discover how human activities affect marine ecosystems, and why this matters for our own well-being.

The stand also featured the documentary trailers produced by the LifeWatch Italy Multimedia Production Centre, offering a glimpse into the project’s three marine regions: the Arctic Northeast Atlantic, the Tuscan Archipelago and Macaronesia. Additional filming is planned during the next Marine SABRES General Assembly in Pisa (21–23 October 2025).


See the full photo gallery to revisit the key moments of the event.

If you missed the event, you can still watch the documentary trailers on LifeWatching.tv and discover the Serious Game School Competition.

For more information, please visit Marine SABRES official website: www.marinesabres.eu