CESAM and the University of Aveiro will host the 1st Ocean Research Forum on 13 March 2026, an event that brings together researchers, representatives of national scientific institutions and decision-makers connected to the marine sector to discuss the main challenges and priorities of ocean science research in Portugal. The event will take place in the Renato Araújo Auditorium, in the Rectory building, and aims to reinforce the role of science in understanding, monitoring and sustainably managing the ocean.
Organised by CESAM, CIIMAR, CCMAR, MARE and OKEANOS, the forum creates a space for reflection and debate on the priorities of marine science research in Portugal, promoting dialogue between the scientific community and public policy. One of the main objectives is to contribute to defining strategic directions for the development of Portuguese ocean research over the next decade.
The opening session will feature interventions by Amadeu Soares, Director of CESAM, and Artur Silva, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Aveiro. This will be followed by a presentation by José Guerreiro, President of the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), on the programme and strategic options of the institution in the field of ocean research and monitoring.
Throughout the morning, key topics will be addressed, including ocean infrastructure and observation (Ana Colaço, OKEANOS/University of the Azores), ocean dynamics and climate change (Isabel Iglésias, CIIMAR/University of Porto), and resource management, biodiversity and conservation (Paula Chainho, MARE/University of Lisbon). These presentations will be followed by a first discussion forum moderated by Gui Menezes, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOS.
After the break, the programme will continue with a remote intervention by the Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, Salvador Malheiro, joining from the Azores. This will be followed by presentations on pollution and coastal impacts, by Bernardo Duarte (MARE/University of Lisbon), and aquaculture and biotechnology, by Newton Gomes (CESAM/DBIO), culminating in a second discussion forum moderated by Vítor Vasconcelos, Director of CIIMAR.
During the afternoon, the focus will shift to governance, spatial planning, education and funding in marine sciences. Luís Menezes Pinheiro (CESAM/DGEO and coordinator of the National Committee for the Ocean Decade) will address Portugal’s role in ocean governance. This will be followed by interventions on marine and coastal spatial planning and management (Adelaide Ferreira, IPMA and MARE), education and training (Rute Martins, CCMAR, and Ricardo Salgado, MARE), and funding and contributions to international programmes (Susana Moreira, CIIMAR).
The programme will also include a third discussion session moderated by Pedro Raposo de Almeida, Director of MARE at the University of Évora, and the presentation of the general conclusions document by Adelino Canário, Director of CCMAR. The closing session will feature remarks by Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, and Paulo Jorge Ferreira, Rector of the University of Aveiro.
The event will conclude with a roundtable recorded for broadcast on TSF, moderated by journalist Marco António, bringing together representatives from the scientific community, public administration and marine sector entities, including Amadeu Soares, Helena Canhão, José Guerreiro, Rúben Eiras and Vice-Admiral Ramalho Marreiros. The recording, held without an audience, will take place during the reception reserved for forum participants, with the broadcast scheduled for 17:00 on 14 March.
The full programme of the 1st Ocean Research Forum can be consulted here.