The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) plays a central role in climate by transporting and redistributing recently observed temperature increases to depth, thereby regulating the effective heat capacity of the ocean under global warming. The AMOC is projected to decline in response to climate change and there is broad agreement that the climate consequences of a potential shutdown of this vital ocean circulation are enormous. The Nordic Seas are a dominant contributor to the overturning circulation due to the production of dense waters north of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge which feed into the lower limb of the AMOC.

The objectives of ARCTIC-FLOW, an ESA Polar Cluster project, are: 1) to identify the main locations of surface water mass transformation into denser waters; 2) to provide new estimates of water mass transformation and overturning in order to understand the mechanisms driving  surface density changes and their impact on the ocean circulation; 3) to investigate the temporal and spatial scales at which the main processes of water mass formations occur; and 4) to assess the impact of extreme freshening events, with the main focus on different regions of the Nordic Seas.

To achieve these objectives, we will construct a new 16-year time series of satellite-derived freshwater and density fluxes for the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions,  obtained by combining SSS, SST and velocity fields from EO observation, along with information of the Mixed Layer Depth. We will then  perform an in-depth analysis of a comprehensive set of in situ measurements in combination with results of model experiments and the new EO-derived time series. 

In this talk we will present the project and the progress made in generating  the new satellite product.

How to cite: Olmedo, E., Arias, M., Beszczynska-Möller, A., Gabarró, C., González-Gambau, V., Karcher, M., Karlsson, N. B., Kauker, F., Oliva, R., Onrubia, R., Piracha, A., Sabia, R., Munck Solgaard, A., Turiel, A., Umbert, M., and Wearing, M.: ARCTIC-FLOW: A new project for better understanding water mass formation processes in the Nordic Seas, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-593, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-593, 2025.

Since 2012 red tides have been increasing in frequency and intensity along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica with substantial impact in eco-tourism, mariculture, and the environment. In 2022, only in Papagayo Peninsula, a coastal eco-tourism hotspot, a total economic loss of $1 million was estimated due to severe red tides happening in the Gulf of Papagayo. Additionally, corals, fish, and marine marketable products died, and shellfish consumption was banned, negatively affecting sales and livelihoods of mariculture producers and fishermen.  These red tide events happening in 2022, triggered the MAReS project (Monitoring Algae blooms using Remote Sensing), a two-year pilot project funded by the Dutch government’s Partners for Water program.

The consortium that launched the MAReS project was formed through an interdisciplinary approach, driven by the goal of mitigating the impacts of red tides on ecosystems and the productive activities dependent on marine and coastal resources. MAReS aims to develop a near-real-time geospatial monitoring service to support timely management and mitigation of red tides in the Costa Rican Pacific, especially in protected areas. This service uses optical satellite data such as the sea watercolor, sea water temperature, and chlorophyll-a, which is calibrated and validated with local measurements, then processed into maps and early red tide alerts, providing key information on the intensity and location of red tides. Combining satellite data with in-situ measurements enhances the accuracy of detection and alert systems. Local measurements include optical monitoring equipment, laboratory water analysis of chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton and citizen observations of watercolor.

MAReS seeks to improve information on the location and intensity of red tides so that: (a) governments can warn against unsafe areas for shellfish collection and consumption to prevent poisoning; (b) environmental organizations can protect marine species; (c) eco-tourism operators know where to conduct activities like diving or sport fishing; (d) the fishing industry can identify optimal areas, avoiding unnecessary fuel costs; (e) mariculture operations can relocate or harvest early; and (f) insurers can offer index-based risk insurance.

The main MAReS results are: over 10,000 km² of the sea monitored with remote sensing technology for potential red tides occurrence in the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica; over 100 km² of the sea sampled for potential red tides occurrence in the Papagayo Gulf,; installation and operation of an optical monitoring station to monitor the occurrence of red tides in Culebra Bay; in situ monitoring of physic- chemical and biological parameters, phytoplankton characterization and business model development based on annual subscriptions. MAReS provides accurate and timely information on the location and intensity of red tides and changes in water quality, enabling governments, eco-tourism operators, and the fishing industry to make informed decisions and mitigate the negative impacts of this phenomenon. Through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary efforts, the MAReS project represents a unique and innovative approach. From an interdisciplinary perspective, this project is invaluable as it engages communities dependent on marine resources. Understanding the occurrence and detection of red tides is essential for early warning mechanisms for these communities, productive activities and environmental preservation.

How to cite: Suárez-Serrano, A., Kaune, A., Laanen, M., Hommersom, A., Spaias, L., Guillén-Watson, A., and Quirós, M.: Interdisciplinary service development to provide monitoring and early warnings of harmful algae blooms in the Costa Rican Pacific., One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-691, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-691, 2025.

The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) is an international non-governmental, non-profit organization focused on promoting international cooperation in planning and facilitating oceanographic research. SCOR covers all areas of ocean science and cooperates with other organizations with common interests to conduct many SCOR activities. Since inception in 1957, SCOR has supported 172 working groups composed to address focused scientific issues that are impeding the advancement of ocean science. Beginning with the International Indian Ocean Expedition in the early 1960s, SCOR has also been instrumental in the planning and coordinating large-scale ocean research projects. By facilitating international networking, SCOR aims to add value to outcomes from national activities. This presentation will highlight the advancements in ocean science that have been supported by SCOR’s international networking activities and describe the current and future opportunities for scientists to become involved in international ocean science through SCOR.

How to cite: Twigg, E.: The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research: Supporting International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-700, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-700, 2025.

The Pacific Marine Science Alliance (PMSA) is a unique marine sciences partnership across five western Canadian universities (University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University and University of Victoria) with a permanent base for marine and coastal-oriented field operations at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC). Perched on the outer west coast of Canada, the BMSC is the epitome of realizing Dohrn’s vision to (1) provide unparalleled ocean access to remarkable biodiversity, (2) contribute to regional and global networks and collaborations, and (3) support the infrastructure and operations of modern marine stations. With support from the Canada Foundation of Innovation, the PMSA recently launched EMPOWER, a new research and training program to measure ocean weather and predict ecological response in near shore environments, in addition to a new marine science curriculum. In this talk I will highlight research opportunities for collaboration, and the role of PMSA for building and supporting Dohrn’s vision for ocean science globally.

How to cite: Rogers, S.: Transforming relationships with the ocean through science at Canada’s  Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre – towards a new frontier for ocean science, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-852, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-852, 2025.

The world’s oceans are undergoing continuous transformation, driven not only by natural fluctuations but increasingly by human impact. In this context, understanding the ocean through in-situ observations has never been more urgent. Since the 1990s, the Global Ocean Observing System has brought together global organizations, governments, and scientists to monitor the oceans using thousands of in-situ instruments and satellite data. At the core of the system is OneArgo, a pioneering international network of autonomous profiling floats, supported by IOC-UNESCO and WMO.

Launched in the 2010s, BGC-Argo, the biogeochemical arm of OneArgo, has rapidly emerged as the world’s most ambitious program for ocean biogeochemical monitoring. In recent years, the array has rapidly grown, with over 20 countries now operating nearly 400 floats globally that measure more than five key biogeochemical parameters. This initiative paves the way for a new era of real-time, high-resolution biogeochemical data, transforming our understanding of critical ocean processes such as the carbon cycle, ocean acidification, and ecosystem health.

In the context of societal and environmental challenges, this presentation will highlight how BGC-Argo positions itself as a key player in delivering critical data and products that support not only oceanographic research and exploration but also the developement of  operational services, shape policy decisions and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

How to cite: Pasqueron de Fommervault, O., Johnson, K. S., and Claustre, H.: BGC-Argo: Advancing Biogeochemical Ocean Observations to Address Global Challenges, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1065, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1065, 2025.

After two years of intensive measurements along European coastal waters (Tara-Europa expedition and HyperBOOST research project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA)), the TARA vessel (https://fondationtaraocean.org/en/home/) sampled the open waters of the Mediterranean Sea during an oceanographic campaign in August 2024, from Greece to the south of France. This campaign marked the first deployment of an Hypernets station, featuring the Hypstar, a new European-developed autonomous hyperspectral sensor (https://hypernets.eu), alongside numerous other continuous water quality measurements. From August 8 to 18, 240 measurements were collected under optimal conditions: calm seas, clear skies, and non-turbid waters. These data were compared with satellite observations from the VIIRS, OLCI, and MODIS missions, and particularly from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) first hyperspectral mission, PACE (https://pace.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem satellite mission.

The results of these data matchups are remarkable, showing an exceptional correlation between the Hypstar measurements and the satellite data, highlighting the surprising quality of the Hypstar sensor and the PACE satellite products. This first deployment phase of the Hypernets system, initially designed for coastal studies, paves the way for its adaptation to offshore applications, with promising prospects for global ocean monitoring. The hyperspectral observation of both coastal and open-ocean environments will undoubtedly open new avenues for understanding ocean (e.g., phytoplankton) dynamics, particularly in response to climate change and anthropogenic effects. The combined use of new satellite sensors and next-generation in situ measurements, within the framework of international cooperation between major space agencies, will make this possible. We will highlight the first key results combining this over 2-year-long expedition aboard the TARA vessel along with satellite ocean observations.

How to cite: Doxaran, D., Pailler, D., Corizzi, A., Stil, P., and consortium, H.: Hyperspectral observations of the open ocean and coastal waters combining satellite and in situ new generation sensors, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1067, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1067, 2025.

Natural analogues of the future ocean allow us to identify the impacts and associated mechanisms of ocean warming, ocean acidification and oxygen loss on marine organisms from effects on species right up to an ecosystem scale. This is improving understanding about how ongoing rapid changes to the structure and functioning of marine systems are and will continue to affect human society. Strong marine gradients in temperature, pH, alkalinity and oxygen provide test beds to show the practical real-world advantages to society of complying with the UN SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the CBD, demonstrating what ecosystem services are secured as ecosystems are ‘dialed-back’ from business-as-usual emissions and poor ocean management scenarios.

The International CO2 Natural Analogue (ICONA) network, an ocean decade action endorsed under the “Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability' programme, brings together experts, local communities, and stakeholders to use futuristic marine test bed environments, spanning temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions. Our findings are showing the varieties of responses to future ocean conditions from molecules to ecosystems. They highlight that reducing CO2 emissions and limiting ocean warming, acidification, and oxygen loss brings tangible benefits to society by restoring ecosystem services that have been degraded. Moreover, resistant species and populations of marine organisms found in these futuristic environments have been selected through chronic exposure to end of the century levels of heatwaves, CO2 and reduced oxygen. These can be a source of genes of resilience for the development of adaptation strategies such as assisted evolution and assisted gene flows. Finally, the microbial diversity found at this global network of study sites has proven its potential for the development of carbon sequestration techniques which can help achieve a carbon neutral society. The ICONA network aims to expand to engage more partners, scientists and diverse stakeholders to unlock the ways in which these systems can benefit humanity, through novel hidden biodiversity and as demonstration sites for how our societies can best adapt to near-future CO2 levels, and to co-design conservation strategies around these ecosystems.

How to cite: Agostini, S., participants, I., Hall-Spencer, J., Harvey, B., Milazzo, M., Rodolfo-Metalpa, R., Tierney, B., and Wada, S.: Natural analogues of the future ocean to understand and protect marine ecosystems under climate change and ocean acidification, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1118, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1118, 2025.

In a rapidly changing world, scientists are increasingly facing the challenges of how to ensure the effective and efficient uptake of science into conservation, management, and policy. Using examples from the Bertarelli Foundation’s Indian Ocean marine science progamme, that involves 96 scientists from 22 institutions and 11 countries, this presentation will explore some of the approaches that have been implemented through this programme. This ranges from gaining new conservation insights from enabling collaborations across scientific disciplines, to addressing regional inequities in marine science through increasing opportunities for early career researchers from the Indian Ocean region. We will present examples of how transdisciplinary collaborations have changed our understanding of the ocean, such as the importance of seabird nutrient transfer in coral reef health, the oceanographic drivers of ocean predator distribution and coral reef connectivity, and the application of social science to understand and address the drivers of illegal fishing. In addition, we will explore different ways to increase the uptake and use of science, such as integrating the programme into the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Finally, we will share experiences of trialling different approaches to communicating science to new audiences for conservation, including training regional journalists and engaging with other sectors, particularly art, design, and technology.

How to cite: Koldewey, H., Jones, R., Granberry, C., and Levy, E.: Finding an effective interface between science, conservation, management, and policy: A case study from the Bertarelli Foundation’s marine science programme , One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1124, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1124, 2025.

Scientific Ocean Drilling is the largest and longest-lasting, truly international collaboration program in the fields of Ocean and Earth sciences, with important links to the Ocean biota including the deep subseafloor biosphere. In over 50 years, using multiple platforms, the program has transformed our understanding of the evolution of our planet through the study of geological archives laying below the ocean floor.

The newly born International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP³) will further explore the Oceans role in the fields of habitability and life on Earth, Earth’s climate system, Feedbacks in the Earth System, Tipping points in Earth History, Global Cycles of energy and matter, and submarine geological hazards.

As a tool to drives crucial interdisciplinary research on the interconnected Earth system processes that influence the future of our planet, Scientific Ocean Drilling is a fundamental tool to navigate the energy transition and address growing societal challenges. Looking back in Earth history is essential to provide decision makers with information on ocean-climate-biosphere feedbacks in a warming world, for which analogues exist in the past.

The role of the subseafloor in the understanding of the ocean system should be considered as crucial component in ocean literacy and included in the process of policy making.

How to cite: Kinkel, H. and Camerlenghi, A. and the International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP³): The International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) -  Exploring the Ocean’s past to inform on their future., One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1169, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1169, 2025.

Citizen and community science programs have been instrumental in generating large datasets in natural sciences, while simultaneously engaging participants in science and the environment. Community led and citizen science projects have seen broad application to plastic pollution monitoring and cleanup efforts due to the abundance of plastic pollution in all environments around the globe. Here we highlight the work of a niche group of community scientists, we call, “highly engaged marine users.” This group of community scientists demonstrate an elevated level of marine citizenship and understanding of the ocean. Highly engaged marine users are equipped with a set of specific skills and knowledge that are required to access the under-monitored environments which they operate in across the global ocean. We present case studies of highly engaged marine users working in three marine environments that are data deficient; (1) surfers in the nearshore environment, (2) recreational divers at the seafloor, and (3) sailors/seafarers in the high seas. We reflect on the success of these programs highlighting the role of scientists in providing support in the study design, and execution of project efforts. Given the call for baseline and continued monitoring of plastics in the environment from intergovernmental initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Decade of Ocean Science, and the Global Plastics Treaty, we demonstrate that highly engaged marine users are key to executing sustained plastic pollution monitoring across the globe. Engaging this group of citizen scientists will be pivotal in meeting global needs of monitoring marine debris across the global ocean.

How to cite: Puskic, P., Cramer, I., Deery, E., Egger, M., Fox, N., de Haan, W., Lebreton, L., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Wolter, H., and Kelly, R.: Highly engaged marine users can help monitor marine plastic pollution in under accessed environments , One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1249, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1249, 2025.

How to cite: Martin Miguez, B. and Heslop, E. and the Global Ocean Observing System - EOV team: GOOS Essential Ocean Variables: the backbone of a sustained and evolving international ocean observing system, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1259, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1259, 2025.

For the past 20 years, the GEOTRACES program (www.geotraces.org) has produced transformative insights into the cycling of trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) in the ocean. Be they bioactive elements essential for sea life (e.g., Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn…); contaminants (e.g., Pb, Hg); or tracers of processes like particle settling velocity (e.g. Th, Pa), source of matter (e.g. Nd, Pb isotopes) or deep vertical diffusion (e.g., Ra, Ac), TEI marine concentrations range from the nanomol to the attomole per litre, making their measurements particularly challenging. Thus, GEOTRACES encouraged international partnership while instilling a strong spirit of collaboration among scientists from more than 35 nations for more than two decades. Rigorous intercalibration efforts, standard definitions and capacity building are the cornerstone of the program to ensure that basin-scale analyses made by any researcher worldwide can be compared without doubt. The resulting high-quality data sets are synthesized and released every 4 years as intermediate data products (IDP), the fourth one being expected in 2025. Accessible to all, at no cost, these data sets resulted in the production of an online electronic atlas (www.egeotraces.org) including data from all ocean basins. GEOTRACES scientific missions and strategies are annually discussed within the « Scientific Steering Committee », the data quality assessed by the « Standard and Intercalibration Committee » while the data base building is managed by the « Data Management Committee ». The whole coordination and animation of these rich and diverse activities are ensured by the « International Project Office », hosted in Toulouse (France), which also largely contributes to the outreach and educational efforts of the program (www.geotraces.org/gted/).

The talk will briefly describe this collaborative structure and illustrate its success with breakthroughs in the understanding of the oceanic cycling of key elements, such as the paradigm shift to a view of the marine Fe cycle where multiple sources contribute, including continental margins and hydrothermal plumes, so far strongly underestimated. The contribution of radionuclides, natural chronometers of processes, will also be underlined. 

How to cite: Anderson, R., Jeandel, C., Planquette, H., Conway, T., Casciotti, K., Nishioka, Y., Tagliabue, A., Aguilar-Islas, A., Landing, W., Maldonado, M., and Masferrer-Dodas, E.: 20 years of an international collaborative research in marine geochemistry: the GEOTRACES program, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1317, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1317, 2025.

The ocean critically mitigated global surface warming by taking up a large portion of the additional carbon released to the climate system by human activities. The strength of this carbon sink depends on ocean dynamics and its interaction with the natural carbon cycle, both of which are critically altered by the ongoing climatic changes, making detailed global monitoring essential. However, the vastness and variability of the ocean makes collecting enough long-term CO₂ observations challenging.

During The Ocean Race, Team Malizia collected underway temperature, salinity and CO₂ fugacity data all around the globe, creating a unique dataset that enhances our understanding of oceanic carbon dynamics. This dataset shows the potential of racing sailboats as new platforms global-scale ocean CO2 monitoring. Using these vessels enables data collection across diverse and often hard-to-reach regions, offering a new approach to addressing knowledge and data gaps in the carbon cycle.

Here, we present key findings from this dataset, including a case study from the North Atlantic where a storm event triggered significant CO₂ release. This observation provides new insights on the mechanisms driving the CO₂ flux between the ocean and atmosphere in this region. These findings underscore the value of racing sailboats in revealing new insights into the ocean’s carbon sink and highlight their role as promising tools for carbon cycle research in an era of climate change.

How to cite: Olivier, L., Haumann, A., Herrmann, B., and Landschützer, P.: Navigating the ocean carbon sink: insights from The Ocean Race, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1369, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1369, 2025.

The scientific partnership between Senegal and France on Climate issues entered a new phase in the early 2010s, largely supported by the French national research institute on sustainable development (IRD). This collaboration has given rise to a joint international laboratory (ECLAIRS: Études intégrées du climat et de l'océan en Afrique de l’ouest et réponses aux changements globaux au Sénégal), which aims to foster and support research on West African climate and ocean. Research and capacity building are at the heart of this collaboration, in a global context that requires major empowerment of less industrialized countries.

The training of PhDs in climatology and oceanography is thus feeding into the climate science training programs being developed across the country, following the recruitment of these same young PhDs. The international partnership network developed by Senegal ensures complementary collaboration on a global scale. In addition to structuring training, ECLAIRS has permitted the development of in situ observation systems and state of the art modeling approaches. A number of observation systems emerged under this partnership: (i) the Melax observatory-buoy, which tracks ocean-atmosphere coupling at the origin of upwelling dynamics, the driving force behind the system's fisheries productivity; (ii) the monitoring of the seasonal dynamics of the shelf and its planktonic ecosystem from low-cost vessels; (iii) coastal stations to study the evolution of shellfish harvested by local populations in the Sine Saloum estuary; (iv) a mobile laboratory-container for experimental studies on benthic species; (v) low cost instrument development.

This observation effort is complemented by modeling activities, which ultimately enable Senegalese academics to offer expertise on a national scale, enabling them to become a recognized interlocutor for regional and national institutions, as well as for development agencies (projects to clean up Hann Bay, install seawater desalination plants, offshore oil exploitation, etc.). After twelve years in existence, academic institutions involved in ECLAIRS have helped to structure a community and become a key player in current national development. It has gradually opened up to the issue of oceanic services, and is currently actively involved in setting up a national coastal observatory. To meet the many challenges facing West Africa, like the rest of the world, we need to be part of a regional dynamic that has yet to be structured.

Keywords : ocean, science, collaboration, observations, modeling.

How to cite: Sow, B. A., Gaye, A. T., Sall, S. M., Lazar, A., Mignot, J., Capet, X., Echevin, V., Machu, E., Diouf, M., Ndoye, S., and Thomas, Y.: Capacity building on marine and climate services: contribution of the joint international laboratory ECLAIRS (Senegal-France 2012-2024), One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1413, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1413, 2025.

This paper proposes the framework, rationale and modalities, as well as standardisation and innovation protocols, for the establishment of a dedicated Science, Research and Development (R&D) facility within the Great Blue Wall Initiative to unlock the potential of Africa's regenerative blue economy.  The GBWI was launched as a networked movement to tap into the potential of Africa’s oceans to address the climate-biodiversity-economic transformation agendas.

Africa's vast coastline and marine resources offer significant opportunities for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, and the blue economy has been considered the ‘next frontier of African renaissance’. However, the African continent has found itself locked in path dependencies in low-revenue sectors or extractive sectors. Realising its oceanic potential requires a shift towards a regenerative blue economy that restores, protects, and enhances ocean health while supporting livelihoods and economic development, and science, technology and innovation linked to effective policy development, financial engineering and business and industry integration are key. This transition thus necessitates targeted research and innovation. 

Specifically, Africa needs R&D to develop and adapt sustainable technologies, including innovations in aquaculture, fisheries management, renewable ocean energy, and marine biotechnology as well as new materials, underwater vehicles, monitoring tools, inter alia, as well as fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting the development of new blue economy businesses and promoting the growth of existing ones.

Methodology

This study combines qualitative and quantitative data analysis and modelling, drawing initial primary data from the focused group discussions conducted at the Africa Ocean Forum as one of IUCN’s statutory regional meetings, supplemented by interviews with key stakeholders in the Great Blue Wall Initiative.

Drawing from focused group discussions at the Africa Ocean Forum and other key stakeholder consultations, this paper explores the financial and logistical framework for establishing this facility. It analyses potential operational modalities, emphasising increased synergy between science, policy, and business to ensure research aligns with industry needs and national development goals.

Expected Outcomes:

• A comprehensive framework for establishing an R&D facility tailored to the specific needs and priorities of the Great Blue Wall Initiative.
• Identification of key research areas with the potential to drive sustainable blue economy development in Africa.
• Enhanced understanding of the science-policy-business interface in the context of the African blue economy.

Research Questions:

• What are the critical financial and logistical considerations for establishing a Great Blue Wall R&D facility?
• How can the R&D facility effectively foster collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and industry actors in Africa?
• What research priorities will maximize the potential for nature-positive outcomes within the African blue economy?

Policy Outcomes:

• Recommendations for national and regional policies to support the development and implementation of the R&D facility.
• Policy briefs outlining the potential of the blue economy to contribute to sustainable development goals in Africa.

Ultimately, the paper provides an action-oriented pathway to establish this groundbreaking Facility, utilising the OOSC to present its theoretical bases, arguing that investing in R&D is crucial for unlocking the full potential of Africa's regenerative blue economy.

How to cite: Mossae, B., Sberna, T., Nicolau, D., and Raguain, J.: Unlocking Nature-Positive Outcomes for Africa's Blue Economy through Science: The Case for a Great Blue Wall R&D Facility, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1415, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1415, 2025.

How to cite: Van Sumeren, H., Fietzek, P., Heslop, E., Kozak, D., Willis, Z., and Hoffman, C.: Maturing the Ocean Enterprise – a Dialogue on the Ocean Enterprise Initiative , One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1424, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1424, 2025.

Following the United Nations SDGs, numerous and heterogeneous strands of research increasingly refer to grand challenges such as climate change, which are characterized by being evaluative, complex and uncertain and therefore very different from other “normal” organizational and social issues. For around 10 years, Organization Studies in particular has been studying the role organizations play in tackling these grand challenges. However, relatively little is known about how these grand challenges are discursively interpreted as grand challenges in the first place, how they change as they travel from organization to organization and what translation processes they are subject to.

In my presentation, I examine a specific grand challenge – namely the protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). VMEs are areas in the deep-sea (i.e. below 200m) where certain species like cold-water corals, deep-sea sponges, or sea pens live. These are highly vulnerable to human activity, and especially bottom-contact fishing. The realization that they are worth protecting in the interests of the sustainability of marine life began at the start of the millennium.

The question at this point is: how is such a grand challenge made actionable? In answering this question, I will trace very different process steps – starting with the events and findings against which the VMEs entered the UNGA stage in the beginning of the millennium, through a series of closures to the controversies that these decisions have sparked.

Both different actors and different translation processes play a role here. Not only intergovernmental organizations such as the UN, the FAO, intergovernmental science organizations (e.g., ICES) and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (e.g., NAFO and NEAFC) are key in these processes. ENGOs such as the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) and industry associations such as the European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA) have also shaped their evolution. The translation processes range from the identification and formulation of the grand challenge to the production of knowledge to overcome it, the provision of a technical infrastructure to regularly and routinely survey the development of the grand challenge, to decision-making on the right measures and reactions that may then call the decisions made into question.

On the basis of qualitative interviews with representatives of organizations involved in these translation processes, I work out how an abstract grand challenge becomes an actionable grand challenge through translation processes within and between organizations, technical infrastructure and social debates – and what challenges arise in these processes. A grand challenge would not be a grand challenge if it were possible to simply string such processes together in a linear fashion, solve the individual sub-processes and then, like a computer program, come up with a perfectly tailored solution to the problem at the end. It is precisely this kind of linearity that grand challenges are opposed to.

How to cite: Rachlitz, K.: How Do Grand Challenges Travel Between Organizations? A Case Study On The Protection Of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-1546, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-1546, 2025.

The vision of the AtlantOS Program is to advance Atlantic Ocean observing through co-design by actively supporting collaborative partnerships among observing networks, data and information systems, and the wider user communities to build on existing initiatives and past successes. An ocean observing co-design process provides a fit-for-purpose observing system that ensures the interconnection of scientific experts across disciplines (i.e., observing, modeling, forecasting) and key stakeholders. This ensures sharing of knowledge across disciplines, breaking down of silos, co-construction of solutions and tools, and the targeted development of products and services useful to stakeholders.

AtlantOS leads the Ocean Observation and Modeling Expert Group under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA). AAORIA is a high level science diplomacy effort involving countries from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean that aims to enhance and support marine science and innovation. At the recent All-Atlantic Forum, a workplan was endorsed to develop plans for the following priority topics:

• Ocean productivity, including fisheries
• Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)
• Land, coast, and ocean interactions.

This talk will address the implementation plans for the Ocean Observation and Modeling Expert Group activities and give a brief readout of next steps and opportunities to engage. This talk will be an opportunity to raise the profile of AAORIA and its activities and enable engagement from a broad stakeholder group.

How to cite: Zinkann, A.-C. and Snowden, J.: Realizing the Benefits of Ocean Knowledge through Co-Design: An Implementation Plan for Enhanced Ocean Knowledge in the Atlantic, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-817, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-817, 2025.