6. Science that makes a difference: supporting knowledge-based policies
Within this theme, the focus will be on organizations, initiatives, projects and people that work in the interface of science, policy and society. How can scientists and policy makers better assist and learn from each other? How can the science-policy interface enrich the decision-making processes and shape people’s awareness and understanding of problems?
6.1 Strategic Knowledge Sharing: Unlocking the potential of Marine Artificial Structures for biodiversity
Convenors:
Steven Degraer (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences)
Henk van Rein (Howell Marine Consulting)
Summary:
As the UN Ocean Decade matures, challenging trade-offs arise between meeting the goals of the energy transition. We need to reduce reliance on fossil-fuels by developing renewable energy sources, alongside meeting the 2030 biodiversity goals of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, of reducing biodiversity loss, restoring 30% of degraded systems and integrating biodiversity into decision making. To strike the right balance, applied scientific research is essential, reflecting the needs of decision-makers and industry, to manage the transition and ensure positive outcomes. Achieving the energy transition requires rapid expansion of Marine Artificial Structures and advisory bodies need knowledge to address risks and unlock the potential benefits for marine biodiversity at multiple scales.
In this workshop, we will take stock of progress, showcasing cutting-edge projects, programmes and initiatives working at the science-policy interface in the energy transition. Drawing on case studies focused on the effects of Marine Artificial Structures in the marine environment, we aim to highlight examples of successful engagement and science communication around the energy transition offshore, including understanding environmental impacts, mitigation measures and restoration opportunities, including through Nature Inclusive Design. We uncover how accessible communication techniques, stakeholder consultations, coordination across sea basins and codeveloped governance for research deepens the understanding between scientists and policymakers, and how this can lead to more successful outcomes for marine biodiversity.
By bringing together international stakeholders from across academia, policy, eNGOs and industry, we will identify key challenges in communicating scientific evidence and actions needed to best support the formation of knowledge-based policies for the energy transition. Together we will show how scientific alignment with societal challenges can shape people’s awareness and their understanding of problems, better equipping them for trade-offs in decision-making processes for the future seas we want.
6.2 Science, outreach, capacity building and policy / diplomacy the role of the global network of marine stations
Convenors:
Matt Frost (Plymouth Marine Laboratory; World Association of Marine Station)
Jan Mees (Flanders Marine Institute)
Summary:
In 1843 the world’s first marine station was established in Ostend, Belgium. Today there are approximately 850 marine stations distributed across every continent. Much of what we know today relating to historical marine biodiversity baselines comes from the work of these marine stations and today the majority of marine biodiversity monitoring programs are maintained and run out of these stations. Marine stations also play numerous other important roles such as a) undertaking fundamental marine scientific research b) education and Community Engagement: d) maintaining and disseminating valuable marine biodiversity data and e) developing innovative technology to measure marine biodiversity and other relevant parameters.
Most of the benefits derived from the role the world’s marine station play are considerably enhanced when the stations operate as a network such as the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS), which is a mechanism for collaboration between the world’s marine stations and marine station networks. Working together as a network is vital as the Ocean and its marine biodiversity is impacted by multiple pressures at a range of scales from local to global. These global level drivers of change require a global level response in terms of integration of knowledge and data across geographic boundaries.
Acting as a network facilitates marine stations feeding into the growing body of ocean-related international policy such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the BBNJ agreement (‘High-Seas Treaty) as well as implementation at the national level. There is therefore an urgent need to mobilise capacity in support of science-based policy and action. The world’s marine stations represent a vast global resource that can be utilised to meet these challenges, breaking down barriers to cooperation and collaboration and creating an opportunity to monitor biodiversity and inform policy on a global scale.
6.3 Demonstrating the power of cross-thematic open and FAIR data for evidence-based marine biodiversity and ecosystem decision-making: The EMODnet example
Convenors:
Kate Larkin (EMODnet Secretariat / Seascape Belgium)
Representative of EMODnet Thematic Lot (to be confirmed)
Summary:
This session will demonstrate the value of cross-thematic open and FAIR data from the coast and ocean in providing holistic marine knowledge to support science and knowledge-based policies and wider decision-making related to marine biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, restoration and management. The session will be chaired by the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), the in situ marine data service of the European Commission, with a focus on EMODnet’s (European) regional contribution to the global ocean data ecosystem. The session will showcase the diverse EMODnet offer (marine biodiversity, seabed habitats and wider thematics spanning the marine environment and human activities at sea) and will demonstrate concrete uses of these cross-thematic data, with a focus on use cases related to marine biodiversity, ecosystems and nature restoration. This will include how EMODnet’s marine knowledge supports EU and Global policy implementation and assessments, including to support upcoming legislation including the EU Nature Restoration Law and the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. The Session will also look at the potential societal applications of EMODnet and wider open data when utilized on the cloud together with computer models and other analytical tools e.g., Artificial Intelligence via the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO), a main element of the Digital Ocean Knowledge System under the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and a key contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Challenge 8 to create a digital representation of the Ocean. The session format would include plenary presentations followed by a Panel discussion including representatives from EMODnet and EU DTO, EU policy makers, other regional and global representatives (tbc), with interactive questions and answers with the audience, e.g., in-person and online (e.g., Slido).
6.4 Bright spots and bridge building: Co-designing marine biodiversity knowledge to inform conservation, stewardship, and action
Convenors:
Jason Landrum (Lenfest Ocean Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts)
Gabrielle Canonico (NOAA, U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System)
Summary:
Ocean biodiversity is in crisis, yet we lack the actionable data, analyses, relationships, and political will across the science-policy landscape to address it. Co-design has emerged as a potential solution that promotes engagement among experts, stakeholders, and rights holders to collectively identify required knowledge and integrate it into management decisions. But, what impact have the principles and practice of co-design made for ocean biodiversity conservation? Have they improved or expanded evidence-based planning and decision-making for sustainable management, protection, and restoration of ocean life? Where are the bright spot examples where it has worked particularly well? What challenges remain to building better pathways of knowledge to action?
We invite speakers from around the world to share their experiences in co-designing ocean biodiversity knowledge and stewardship efforts to guide conservation, policy, and action. Speakers are invited to share their successes and failures, so that we can learn from both. Speakers will be encouraged to reflect on some of the foundational components of co-design through the lens of their work, including how they:
Built durable relationships between expert communities (i.e., knowledge holders) and decision-makers (e.g., knowledge users)
Implemented approaches that include diverse sources of knowledge from experts and community members
Identified pathways that positioned shared knowledge as central to strategic planning, policy, and conservation action
Facilitated sustained engagement among diverse groups through outreach and communications activities that resulted in greater likelihood of knowledge uptake into decision-making
Presentations will be followed by a discussion on the successes and failures of co-design in various contexts, existing challenges to developing and maintaining lasting engagement between knowledge holders and users that informs policy, stewardship, and action, and innovative approaches to expand the use and impact of co-design more broadly.
6.5 Science-Policy Synergy: Lessons from EU Marine Conservation Projects
Convenors:
Ute Jacob (BioAgora)
Ivan Conesa Alcolea (Directorate-General Research & Innovation - DG RTD)
Summary:
This session aligns with the conference sub-theme “Science that makes a difference: supporting knowledge-based policies” and brings together seven EU-funded marine conservation projects — Blue4All, BlueConnect, MSP4Bio, PROTECT BALTIC, Pharos, BioProtect, and MarinePlan —to share insights on strengthening the science-policy interface in marine conservation. These projects represent a substantial body of work across marine biodiversity, ecosystem-based management, spatial planning, and conservation effectiveness. The session will focus on how to achieve policy being implemented more effectively and contribute to long-term, evidence-based marine governance.
The session begins with presentations from two advanced in implementation, or previously concluded projects—Blue4All and MSP4Bio—highlighting tested approaches, key findings, and lessons learned. Subsequently, a structured round table format will facilitate exchange between project experts and participants. The remaining projects will deliver brief pitches summarising policy-relevant outputs, after which each project will host a discussion table focused on developing practical recommendations for improving the uptake of scientific knowledge in marine policy. Topics will include knowledge transfer, mechanisms for ensuring policy impact beyond project ifecycles and necessary policy actions based on the outcomes of the projects. The session will conclude with a summary of main takeaways and next steps, feeding into a jointly authored policy brief which will be the final output of the session. This session provides a rare opportunity to synthesise diverse EU project outcomes and co-produce tangible recommendations to advance science-informed marine policymaking.
6.6 Preserve, revive, thrive: the Baltic Sea as a test-laboratory for the world’s oceans
Convenors:
Paul Trouth (Baltic Sea Environment Protection Commission - HELCOM)
Katja Laingui (Baltic Sea Environment Protection Commission - HELCOM)
Summary:
The Baltic Sea, though seemingly insignificant in comparison to the world’s oceans, has three worldwide accolades to its name:
it is possibly the most impacted marine area on the planet;
it has some of the most developed and well-functioning transboundary marine governance and cooperation globally; and
it is one of the most data rich marine regions in the world.
This provides the perfect blueprint for using the biodiversity insights we have, to take the decisions we need, for the sea we want. But how is it done in real time, in a real policy landscape, with real decision-makers and real researchers?
Under the umbrella of the Regional Sea Convention (RSC), the marine science-policy nexus in the Baltic Sea, comprising the nine Baltic Sea countries and the European Commission, has recently embarked on the largest project in the convention’s 50-year history: to transform marine protection across the entire governance-planning-designation-management lifecycle, unlocking its full potential.
To do so requires cohesive, intersectional, and transboundary scientific collaboration, the development of multidirectional methodologies and infrastructure, and continuously maintaining policy relevance, reflecting the interconnectedness of eco-, socio-ecological-, marine protection management-, and governance systems.
The session will focus on sharing the experiences of how such a holistic, transboundary, ecosystem-centred and science-driven model for marine biodiversity protection can drive largescale governance transition, and inform both policy and practice. We will provide concrete examples of how knowledge on marine biodiversity is collectively improved across topics, made policy relevant, scalable and integrated into national and international decision-making bodies.
Because to achieve the full potential of marine biodiversity and informed decision-making to secure the sea we want, solutions need to be developed together with policy makers, not for them.
6.7 Advances and challenges in developing and applying conservation and restoration science to meet societal goals and legislative needs
Convenors:
Dave Reid (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea - ICES, Denmark)
Henn Ojaveer (University of Tartu, Estonia)
Summary:
Challenge 2 in the UN Decade of Ocean Science is to protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity, with a focus on understanding the effects of multiple stressors on ocean ecosystems, and developing solutions to monitor, protect, manage and restore ecosystems and their biodiversity under changing environmental, social and climate conditions. In addition, recent targets and legislation focus on conservation, restoration and recovery of nature alongside sustainable use of marine ecosystems. Examples are the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; the European Union’s Nature Restoration Regulation and the Action Plan on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; New Zealand’s Marine Protected Areas Policy and Implementation Plan; and Australia’s Marine Conservation Strategic Plan.
The purpose of this session is to bring together contributors to share and discuss their experiences in developing, applying and translating conservation and restoration science to meet societal goals and legislative needs. The session will include aspects of genetic, species and functional biodiversity. We especially welcome contributions from scientists and practitioners developing science advice and science-based policies for governmental, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organisations.
Specifically, the session will be inviting contributions on the following topics:
Measuring and modelling recovery times of marine habitats and species, and the detection and reporting of recovery by monitoring programmes
Quantifying habitat connectivity with a focus on benthic species and habitats, including Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, and how this can be transferred to science-based policies
Success stories and lessons learned from active marine ecosystem conservation and restoration efforts
Quantifying the fishing and other human impacts on sensitive species, along with the ecosystems and species responses, and how this can impact options for management, protection and restoration
Gear innovations for reducing the fisheries impact on species and habitats and enabling coexistence of food production and conservation, including identification and quantification of trade-offs.
6.8 Understanding environmental Impacts of Deep-Seabed Mining: Science for Sustainable Ocean Governance
Convenors:
Matthias Haeckel (GEOMAR, Germany)
Sabine Gollner (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research - NIOZ)
Summary:
As deep-seabed mining (DSM) moves from exploration to potential exploitation, independent scientific research is critical to support evidence-based policies that balance resource extraction with ecosystem protection. Over the past decade, extensive studies on polymetallic nodule (PMN) and seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) ecosystems have provided preliminary insights into their baseline biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and resilience to anthropogenic disturbances. These studies have revealed the complexity of deep-sea habitats, highlighting the challenges in assessing their recovery potential and the long-term consequences of mining-induced impacts.
This session invites oral and poster presentations discussing environmental impacts of deepseabed mining in national and international jurisdictions from a scientific, regulatory, legal and societal perspective. Topics may relate to:
Increased understanding of natural spatial and temporal variability in biological and biogeochemical conditions, genetic connectivity and ecosystem functioning in regions under exploration for deep-seabed mining both for the pelagic and the benthic realm;
Assessment of environmental impacts of mining as assessed via field studies before, during and after test mining or testing of mining components or via dedicated experiments, both in the pelagic and the benthic realm;
Development of regulatory, management and monitoring tools and frameworks including but not limited to ecological thresholds, digital twins and area-based management tools
Comparative assessment of land-based vs. DSM impacts
Investigation of links between relevant national and international governance regimes
Reports on stakeholder interactions regarding societal and ethical implications of DSM and how this may influence policy and decision making
Given the inclusion of stakeholder engagement, we intend to organize and host a parallel discussion session also linked to this theme 6, entitled “From ocean Knowledge to Governance—and Back: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Deep-Seabed Mining”
6.9 Biodiversity benefits of Nature Based Solutions?
Convenors:
Gert Van Hoey (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - ILVO)
Kristien Veys (Blue Cluster)
Summary:
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) leverage nature and the power of healthy ecosystems to protect people, optimize infrastructure and safeguard a stable and biodiverse future (IUCN). NbS address major challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health, and play a critical role in sustainable development and ecosystem restoration. We aim to explore how NbS contribute to biodiversity restoration in both natural and modified marine ecosystems. How can NbS support policy targets related to biodiversity and nature restoration?
Key areas of focus for this research include: understanding the biodiversity benefits generated by NbS through data-driven knowledge, the willingness of governments and other stakeholders to implement NbS in natural resource management, and the financial pathways necessary to achieve this in a multidisciplinary context. Contributions addressing these three aspects are encouraged, as overcoming challenges in these areas is essential. It is crucial to have data-driven insights into biodiversity gains, and the methods for measuring or quantifying these gains must be clear and standardized. This will help ensure that policymakers and stakeholders are well-informed about the biodiversity benefits. The implementation of NbS in management is not always straightforward, with several obstacles, such as uncertainties about the resilience of NbS and funding issues. Currently, NbS are primarily funded through government sources, but ideally, a combined effort involving private sector and industry funding would be more effective.
NbS in the marine environment have gained significant attention, with numerous pilot studies and successful implementations. This session provides an opportunity to share knowledge on biodiversity gains and discuss how these initiatives are financed and integrated into local or regional policies.
6.10 Biodiversity as a Source of Solutions: Unlocking the Societal Value of Marine Life
Convenors:
Jana Asselman (Ghent University)
Summary:
Marine biodiversity is not only a cornerstone of ecological balance but also a vital source of innovation, well-being, and resilience for human societies. This session explores the often underrepresented yet essential societal functions of biodiversity—ranging from the discovery of new pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds to sustainable food systems and novel biomaterials. As the ocean faces mounting pressures from climate change, pollution, and exploitation, the imperative to safeguard its biodiversity becomes not just an environmental concern, but a socioeconomic priority.
We invite interdisciplinary contributions that highlight the tangible ways marine organisms contribute to health, nutrition, and industrial innovation. The session will showcase cutting-edge research in marine bioprospecting, nature-based solutions, bio-economy strategies, and indigenous knowledge systems that exemplify biodiversity’s role in delivering benefits to people. By bridging science, policy, and industry, this session aims to elevate biodiversity from a conservation issue to a catalyst for sustainable development.
