As 2025 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on an incredible year for EurOcean. From launching new projects and taking on new roles to strengthening our network and celebrating meaningful milestones, it has been a year full of progress, purpose, and collaboration.
Honouring Ocean Leadership: The Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture
A standout moment this year was the second Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture, created to honour Professor Mário Ruivo’s lasting legacy in ocean science and governance. The announcement of the 2nd edition took place during the V.ECOP Days at UNOC 2025 in Nice. We were proud to award the 2025 lecture to Vânia Baptista, under the UN Ocean Decade. At the 33rd IOC Assembly, Vânia presented her project, The LittleFish-STP, promoting sustainable fisheries and community empowerment in São Tomé and Príncipe. Her work embodies meaningful action, scientific insight, and a commitment to a sustainable and inclusive ocean future.
Read more: here.
WAVE 2025: Connecting Data with Society
Another highlight was WAVE 2025, our new event bringing together members and cooperating members from across Europe. The event showcased the creativity, expertise, and dedication of those shaping ocean observation, marine research, data innovation, and ocean literacy. The message was clear: to address the challenges our oceans face, we must work together openly and across borders. Above all, WAVE 2025 emphasized turning marine data into knowledge society can understand, trust, and act upon.
Read more: here.
International Recognition: UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status
EurOcean was also granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), recognising our contribution to international ocean governance and strengthening our engagement in global policy discussions.
Expanding Participation in European Projects
2025 has been a year of growth in European initiatives. We are excited to be part of:
- YOLA – Youth Ocean Leadership and Advocacy, empowering young people to engage in ocean stewardship and policy.
- SEAMPHONI – Strengthening Ecosystem-based Assessment and Monitoring for Protected Habitats in Offshore Areas and Newly Identified MPAs, advancing conservation and monitoring efforts.
We also celebrated the successful conclusion of NAUTILOS, which advanced next-generation marine observation technologies and strengthened the link between innovation and societal needs. Looking ahead, SEA4FUTURE – Sustainable and Ecosystem-based Approach for Fisheries has been approved for funding and will soon begin, broadening our portfolio and reinforcing EurOcean’s mission.
Thank You!
I want to especially thank our Members and Cooperating Members. Your engagement, trust, and collaboration are the foundation of EurOcean’s strength, relevance, and impact.
To our dedicated staff, your hard work, creativity, and commitment behind the scenes make everything we do possible. I am deeply grateful for your support, which allows our community to thrive.
Looking Ahead
As we close 2025 and look to the year ahead, I’m inspired by our community and confident in what we can achieve together.
Onward, with purpose.
Sandra