EurOcean was among the important stakeholders at European Ocean Days 2026, Brussels, with a strategic focus on ocean knowledge, EU policy and the sustainable blue economy.

Ocean knowledge and EU initiatives

Throughout the week, EurOcean engaged in discussions on ocean observing, marine knowledge for ocean health, the sustainable blue economy, Mission Ocean & Waters Forum, and more. A key highlight was the announcement of OceanEye, by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. OceanEye is a new EU initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of ocean observation and marine data to enhance climate preparedness, maritime safety and the competitiveness of Europe’s blue economy.

Strategic engagement and networking

EurOcean joined our partners from Sea4Future, our newest EC-funded project, in the exhibition space. Here, we worked together with BioProtect, Blue4All, Eco-Catch, Marine Guardian, MPA Cluster, and PHAROS showcasing EU collaboration on sustainable fisheries and ocean innovation. Networking throughout the week ensured a targeted and strategic presence, engaging with EU institutions, project partners and key stakeholders, strengthening existing collaborations and opening up new opportunities, all the while reasserting EurOcean’s role as a European leader in marine information curation.

Supporting future EU ocean policy
During the final session on an EU Strategy for Coastal Communities, the Director-General of DG MARE confirmed the intention to develop a dedicated strategy by 2026. The Commission also highlighted the forthcoming EU Industrial Maritime Strategy, closely linked to a dedicated EU Ports Strategy, positioning ports as central nodes in Europe’s energy, logistics, and decarbonisation systems. EurOcean will continue to track developments and maintain alignment with emerging priorities.

Looking ahead
European Ocean Days reaffirmed the central role of coordinated European action in addressing global ocean, climate and economic challenges, to Europe’s general autonomy, and to Europe’s innovation leadership on a worldwide scale. By contributing to policy discussions and reinforcing strategic partnerships, EurOcean continues to be a crucial partner in the integration of marine knowledge into EU decision-making processes and to advance a sustainable and resilient blue economy.