National Ocean Science Conference

Upon arrival, please stop by the registration desk to pick up your badge. Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day, and we kindly ask you to return your keycord before leaving.

Welcome and icebreaker with Sjoerd Groeskamp.

(How) can humans be an ambassador for the Ocean? Francesca Sangiorgi, Machiel Lamers and Suzette Bousema explore the extent to which humans can empathize with the Ocean through art and sustainable tourism and reflect on the question “Whose Ocean?”.

What does the future hold for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, Microbes, Arctic Ecosystems, or the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea? René van Westen, Laura Villanueva, Maarten Loonen and Hilde Woker bring their unique expertise to explore the question “Whose Future?”.

Lunch included.

Whose Responsibility? In this forum discussion, Danick Trouwloon, Lisa Becking, Martijn Manders and Arjan de Groene explore the governance of the marine Caribbean, engaging with locals Ernest M. de Lanoy (Piskabon), Max van Aalst (BRANCH Coral Foundation) and Kelly Latijnhouwers (SECORE International) to reflect on the question “Whose Responsibility?”.

Poster session overview

The breakout sessions aim to bring together experts and stakeholders for focused discussions on key topics, fostering collaboration and actionable insights to drive meaningful change.

How to be heard as an Early Career Ocean Professional? (Auditorium)
When early in your career, it might be challenging to get heard. That’s why ECOP Netherlands is providing Early Career Ocean Professionals with the tools to speak up through policy, communications and art. After a short symposium moderated by Kjeld Werther (ECOP) with talks by Maarten Heijnen (policy maker, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), Sjoerd Groeskamp (scientist, NIOZ) and Suzette Bousema (artist), participants will apply gained knowledge at three short workshops. Great news: by attending the session, you will already speak up! During the breakout session, attendees will be asked on their views of the future of the ocean, which will be taken to the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. Based on these views, a live art piece will be made together, and afterwards brought to Nice as well!

Strengthening ocean education in schools (The Field, Stationsplein 25)
This breakout session explores how to integrate more ocean education into secondary school curricula. Moderated by Mei Nelissen (NIOZ) and together with Jasper de Goeij (National Ocean Decade Committee), Tim Schuring (St. Bonifatiuscollege), Evy Copejans (European Marine Science Educators Association), Tycho Malmberg (Netherlands Institute for Biology), Tosca Tamis (Scholen aan Zee) and Remco Schaap (Scholen aan Zee), we will discuss key knowledge areas, ways to influence curriculum development, and how to shift the narrative about the ocean from a threat to a vital resource.

Marine research facilities available to the community (Tribunezaal)
In this interactive session, we will discuss the renewal of the Dutch research fleet and explore opportunities for future research cruises and collaborations. We will provide insights into the already operational coastal research vessel Wim Wolff and the ocean-going Anna Weber-van Bosse, which will be in service by 2026. Through examples of their capabilities and the new advanced robotics equipment available, we will highlight how these vessels will enable more detailed observations and in situ experiments. Additionally, we welcome contributions from participants to showcase other marine research facilities available to the community, fostering a broader discussion on common use of the marine research facilities. This session will be moderated by Gert-Jan Reichart (NIOZ).