10 June 13:00 – 14:00: T in MASTS workshop with Tom Wilding (SAMS): Who is Edna (eDNA), and how can she be employed in environmental monitoring? 

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can be defined as a mixture of extra- and intra-cellular DNA that can be extracted from environmental samples such as air, water, soil or sediment. The generation of interpretable information from eDNA analysis is a six-stage process, and at each stage a variety of methods/approaches can be employed. These decisions must be made before the eDNA data can be considered ready for statistical analysis. As an example, we have shown that bacterial eDNA can be used to detect subtle changes in sediments occurring around fish-farms. However, before eDNA can be used in statutory monitoring we need to better understand the magnitude and source of variability attributable to the protocols employed in any particular analysis and understand how that maps to traditional (macrobenthic) methods. In this discussion session, we will explore the requirement for protocol standardisations as part of transparent and consistent eDNA-based decision-making but note that such standardisations must not stymy innovation in this young, rapidly evolving, area of research. Sign up here

14 June 15:00 – 16:00 – Centre for Energy Transition Panel Discussion: Offshore Energy System Integration: Challenges and Opportunities in the North Sea

This session will provide cutting-edge insights into current and future developments in offshore energy system integration and will feature some of the leading experts in industry, research and policy. Sign up here

14 – 16 June – EMODnet Open Conference and Jamboree 2021

EMODnet partners, data providers and users will connect across stakeholder communities and look ahead to help us design and implement EMODnet next phase to 2030 and beyond. To start the week, the Open Conference will provide a unique opportunity to recognise and further develop existing and emerging partnerships, and to listen to marine data providers and users experiences and appreciation of the value of EMODnet data, data products and services, and what can be done further to optimise the user experience. Check out the programme and pre-register here.

14 – 18 June – INCISE2021 – Canyons: human connections to the deep sea

Submarine canyons are important features along the world’s continental margins. They create heterogeneity in the terrain and provide the main pathway for sediment and pollutant transport from the shelf to the deep sea. Although long known, their study has always been a challenge because of their complicated morphology and extreme terrain. The conference format will consist of two 2.5-hour sessions per day over the course of the week. Each session will consist of oral presentations (12 minutes with 3 minutes for questions) and a poster session. Tickets and more information here

16 June – CEFAS FUTURE OCEAN CONFERENCE 2021: Science under the Surface

Open to everyone with an interest in achieving a sustainable global blue future and aims to: •showcase how the scientific evidence, analysis and advice we provide to governments globally has a real world impact on the future of our ocean and the people who depend upon it; •demonstrate how Cefas science supports international commitments on climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and food security, • explore future marine evidence requirements and the development of the science and data which underpins policy. Sign up here

16 June 10:00-17:30 CEST – MyCOAST JOINT REGIONAL WORKSHOP

MyCOAST aims to enhance the capability of risk management systems along the European Atlantic coastline by improving co-operation between coastal observational and forecasting systems. A coordinated Atlantic Coastal Operational Observatory is joining capabilities from all the 5 countries. The resulting synergy is allowing the deployment and capitalization of innovative tools in the risk management systems applied mainly to extreme weather events leading to flooding, maritime safety and coastal pollution. Sign up here

16 June 13:00 EMBRC & MASTS Webinar: Douglas Speirs (University of Strathclyde, Scotland) – Modeling zooplankton and fish in space and time, and under climate change

Marine zooplankton and fish species often have very wide, but continuous, geographic distributions in which individuals move or are transported by ocean currents over large distances. They also often have complicated life cycles involving physiologically different developmental stages. As a consequence, species can occur over an enormous range of environments, including food abundance and temperature, in which different life-history stages may respond variably. Combing these considerations in population models capable of capturing the dynamics of such species and their changing spatial distributions in response to changing environments poses serious modelling challenges. This talk will overview the development at the University of Strathclyde of an approach to combining physiological spatial structure in marine population models. Examples will be drawn from modelling and mesopelagic fish, and zooplankton in the Arctic under climate change. Sign up here

17 June 11:00 CEST: Climate Coffee: “Yamal 2040: Co-created scenarios as a tool for preparation for uncertain futures”

Speaker: Vilena Valeeva, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, e.V. Organised by Blue Action EU with European Climate Research Alliance. Register here

17 June 12:00 – 13:00 European Marine Board Webinar: Sustaining in situ Ocean Observations for the Digital Ocean

This webinar “Sustaining in situ Ocean Observations for the Digital Ocean” will build on the science presented in EMB’s 9th Policy Brief on ‘Sustaining in situ Ocean Observations for the Age of the Digital Ocean‘ which will be launched on 16 June during the EMODnet Open Conference. The document will be presented by Prof. Edward Hill, who is one of the co-authors.Prof. Edward Hill is Chief Executive of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in the United Kingdom. Sign up here

17 – 18 June – Structures in the Marine Environment 2021 conference (SIME21)

Supported by MASTS: Academics, stakeholders, industry and government representatives and interested parties are invited to come together for talks, e-posters, networking and discussion about man-made structures already within the marine ecosystem, and any new infrastructures that may be put in place over the coming decades. Let’s talk about the impacts, benefits and implications of these structures, and discuss how we can accelerate our understanding to support policy and regulatory decisions. Register here /

18 June 15:00 – 17:00 – SAMS Annual Newth Lecture: Scotland’s role in this global initiative.

Join us for a series of short presentations followed by an expert panel discussion, chaired by Susan Watts, former BBC Newsnight science editor. Panel: • Prof Martin Visbeck, GEOMAR Physical Oceanographer; • Dr Hannah Grist, SAMS Citizen Science expert; • Prof David Paterson, MASTS Executive Director; • Michael Russell, President of the Scottish National Party; • Susan Davies, Scottish Seabird Centre CEO; • Prof Nicholas JP Owens, SAMS Director. Sign up here

21 June 13:00 – 15:00 – Energy Innovation Emporium 2021: Local Energy Systems Delivering Net Zero & Just Energy Transition ETP & Energy Systems Catapult

The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021 is brought to you by ETP. This event is suitable for academics and innovators outside Scotland, funders, policy makers and industry/end users. Sign up here

23 June 13:00 EMBRC & MASTS Webinar: Luigia Santella ( Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Italy) – What Happens when Sperm Fertislises the Egg: A Revisitation of the Process

Much of the knowledge on the fertilization process comes from research on sea urchin and starfish eggs that are fertilized in seawater. Even if starfish and sea urchin eggs are physiologically ripe for fertilization at different meiotic stages, their initial response to fertilizing sperm includes virtually the same structural and biochemical changes, i.e., separation of the vitelline layer from the egg plasma membrane and an intracellular calcium increase. Studies from our laboratory have shown that these sperm-induced changes strongly depend on the structural organization of F-actin of the egg cortex, which undergoes restructuration upon sperm-egg interaction. Furthermore, the F-actin remodeling plays a crucial role in preventing the entry of multiple sperm and in ensuring successful embryonic development  Sign up here

23 June –  Scottish Renewables: Marine Conference

Anyone with an interest in the development and growth of Scotland’s wave and tidal sector, including local and national government, academia, professional advisors, developers, supply chain companies and public bodies. The Marine Conference is a must-attend for those involved in the wave and tidal energy sectors in Scotland: Hear about the latest UK and Scottish Government policy Discuss, debate and influence what decisions are taken to benefit the sector Meet with others in the sector to network and share ideas. Ticket and more information here

23 – 26 June – UK & Ireland Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference.

The committee of the UK and Ireland Regional Student Chapter (UKIRSC) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy are pleased to announce our 15th annual conference. This is a free conference which aims to bring together students interested in marine mammals from across the UK and Ireland. We encourage students to present their work in the form of posters, speed talks and 15 minute slots, along with the opportunity to network. We will also be running workshops and organising talks by invited experts within the field. For more information click here

24 June 11:00 CEST: Climate Coffee: “How retreating Barents-Kara Sea Ice may exert control on ENSO periodicity”

Speaker: Soon-Il An, Yonsei University. Organised by Blue Action EU with European Climate Research Alliance. Register here

24 – 26 June – 44th Larval Fish Conference

5 Theme Sessions (1) Form, function, development (2) Climate change effects (3) Recruitment processes (4) Commercial & ornamental aquaculture (5) Behavioral ecology. The abstract submission for both is now open until May 20th 2021. More information here

26 June 16:00 – 17:00 – MARIPOLDATA Ocean Seminar Series: Developing Countries in BBNJ – Interests and Perspectives of CARICOM

Presenter: Kahlil Hassanali PhD Candidate at the World Maritime University – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute. Joining information here

28 June – 11th MARE – People and the Sea Conference 

Theme description: Limits to Blue Growth? For decades sustainable development has served as guiding concept for policy makers, including those concerned in coastal and ocean governance. At the same time, the ‘blue economy’ and ‘blue growth’ have nowadays become popular concepts in marine policy. More information here

29 – 30 June – 8th PRIMaRE Conference 

The 8th PRIMaRE conference represents the latest in the annual scientific conference series of the marine renewable energy community. The conference will be held online, and run by Bangor University, School of Ocean Sciences. There is no conference fee; however please register to ensure a place by 29^th May 2021.  Please also consider submitting a one-page abstract by the 30^th April 2021. Register by 29th May and submit abstracts here

30 June 13:00 EMBRC & MASTS Webinar: Tamara Galloway (University of Exeter, England) – Assessing the Impacts of Plastics

Plastic debris is a societal issue of global concern, illustrating the difficulties in balancing the convenience of plastic in daily life with the environmental degradation caused by careless disposal. The environment impacts of plastic extends beyond the end-of-life issues of litter; the carbon footprint of the plastics industry already exceeds that of air travel and shipping combined, and is set to grow hugely in future if current methods of production and patterns of use continue. This talk will provide an overview of our work at University of Exeter in determining the impacts of plastics. It will include a summary of the ecotoxicology of microplastics, their entry into the marine food web and the biological impacts this can lead to. The future of plastics is also considered, including how the Circular Economy can provide a more sustainable vision of the future, where new materials and business models are developed and plastics never become waste. Sign up here

1 July 11:00: Marine Biology Live: Bringing Back the Native Oyster Across Europe with Dr Jo Preston

With an estimated decline of 95% since the 19th century, native oyster reefs are now one of the most threatened marine habitats in Europe. In some regions of Europe native oysters are now functionally extinct. This talk is all about how we are bringing back this forgotten ecosystem through restoration ecology, pioneering projects and collaborative networks. Joanne is a Marine Biologist based at the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth. She founded the UK/Ireland Native Oyster Network in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London to catalyse a national approach and scale of oyster habitat restoration. Dr Preston provides scientific leadership for the Solent Oyster Restoration Project in collaboration with Blue Marine Foundation and is on the Advisory board for the European Native Oyster Restoration Alliance and Wild Oyster Projects. Joanne is editing a suite of restoration handbooks for oysters and seagrass habitat and working with the coastal restoration community to ensure an integrated seascape approach to ecological restoration. Join via youtube live stream here

1 July 13:00 – 14:00 MASTS & Marine Scotland webinar: “Where are the floating microplastics in Scotland’s seas?” with Marie Russell

Primary microplastics such as beads in personal care products or pre-production resin pellets or nurdles, which have been purposefully manufactured to be ‘micro’. The other is from the fragmentation or wear and tear of larger plastic items such as plastic bags, plastic bottles or fishing nets and lines – these are termed secondary microplastics. But ultimately the source of microplastics in the oceans is anthropogenic – humans produce, use and dispose of the plastics.
This is the first regional, multi-annual study of floating microplastics in Scotland’s seas. Sea surface samples were collected from 2014 to 2020 and evaluated for the presence of microplastics. Microplastics were present in the surface waters of all Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions though almost 35% of sample sites contained no microplastics. Concentrations ranged from 0 to 91,128 microplastics km−2 sea surface. Potential hotspots were identified in the Clyde (0–77,168 microplastics km−2), Forth & Tay (0–83,729 microplastics km−2) and the Solway (607–91,128 microplastics km−2). Fragmented plastics accounted for almost 50% of the microplastics recovered and this may suggest that the microplastics in Scotland’s seas are predominantly from the breakdown of larger items.

5 July 13:00 – 15:00 The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021: How Wind Technologies Can Help Deliver Climate Change Targets from ETP & Ocean Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC)

The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021 is brought to you by ETP. This event is suitable for academics and innovators outside Scotland, funders, policy makers and industry/end users. Sign up here

5-8 July – 2021 Annual Symposium of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles 

This event focuses on the functional role of fish and fisheries in aquatic ecosystems, at a time when the impact of man has never been so extensive. Topics range from the fundamental to the applied, from a small to a large scale, from the past to the future, provided that fish and fisheries take a prime role. More information and registration here

9 August 13:00 – 15:00 The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021: Chemistry Underpinning the Drive to Net Zero from ScotCHEM

The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021 is brought to you by ETP. This event is suitable for academics and innovators outside Scotland, funders, policy makers and industry/end users. Sign up here

1 September – Virtual DOSI Day

More information to come

6 September 13:00 – 15:00 The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021: Data-driven Innovation to Net Zero from DataLab

The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021 is brought to you by ETP. This event is suitable for academics and innovators outside Scotland, funders, policy makers and industry/end users. Sign up here

6-10 September – Conference: ECSA 58 & EMECS 13: Estuaries and coastal seas in the Anthropocene – Structure, functions, services and management, Hull

ECSA 58 & EMECS 13 brings together a global multi-disciplinary community of researchers, educators and practitioners to address issues of outstanding importance in the science (both natural and social) and management of estuaries and coastal seas in this rapidly changing world. More info and Sign up here

12 – 17 September – Conference: 16th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium in Brest, France

Hosted by Ifremer. After 32 years, there is still an urgent need for rapid technological developments to access, investigate, understand and protect this unique and remote environment. Furthermore, in the last few years anthropogenic pressures in the deep sea have risen exponentially and we are all aware that the deep sea is a treasure of biodiversity, resources and the last frontier on Earth for biomimicry. For all these reasons, the 16th Deep-Sea Sea Biology Symposium will propose to you two associated events a student Workshop on “Artificial Intelligence and new technologies to describe deep-sea biodiversity” and a round Table with scientists, stakeholders and companies about deep-sea biomimicry. More information on attending and abstracts here

15 – 16 September – Scottish Renewable: Floating Offshore Wind 2021

What infrastructure, technology and market developments will unlock the necessary cost reductions and accelerate floating offshore wind deployment? RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables Floating Offshore Wind event is the essential update charting progress in a crucial year of auctions and announcements. Connect with experts and expand your network as the industry comes together to discuss the next steps for floating wind. More information here.

18 September – In-Person DOSI Day

The in-person event will be held in association with the 16th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium taking place at Ifremer, France, 12th-17th September. The days will consist of an overview of recent DOSI working group activities, and community discussions both within working groups and in plenary to plan DOSI actions for 2022 and beyond

20 September 13:00 – 15:00 – The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021: he Importance of Science for Marine Renewables from MASTS

The Energy Innovation Emporium 2021 is brought to you by ETP. This event is suitable for academics and innovators outside Scotland, funders, policy makers and industry/end users. Sign up here

20 – 22 September – Workshop on Multi-annual to Decadal Climate Predictability in the North Atlantic-Arctic Sector 

The workshop aims to foster scientific exchanges and collaborations on multi-annual to decadal climate predictability, including research on: 1) climate predictability from interannual to multi-decadal timescales and our understanding of the associated physical processes and their representation by models, 2) improvement of dynamical prediction systems, and 3) Increasing need for actionable information dependent on skilful climate predictions. More detailed information about the workshop can be found in the official flyer attached to this mail and via this link: http://blue-action.eu/events/predictabilityworkshop

21-24 September – The International Conference for Young Marine Researchers (ICYMARE), Berlin

Save the date and find out more information as it’s released here

23 – 25 September – Sustainable Ocean Conference 2021 (SOC 2021)

The largest student-led ocean conference in Atlantic Canada. SOC 2021 will be hosted virtually due to COVID-19, and we strongly encourage your participation. The conference theme Seeing Beyond The Shoreline, our goal is to foster a strong connection across all sectors, to collaboratively combat global ocean issues. The conference will incorporate a variety of perspectives including those from industry, local and Indigenous communities, youth, academia, and government. The collaborative efforts and voices of all contributors will provide for a better understanding of protecting our ocean. Despite being separated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will remain connected through our work, research, and common interest, just as the ocean connects us all. Abstract and event Information here

4 -7 October – Aquaculture Europe 2021

Aquaculture has a clear place in securing food production in Europe and presents “Oceans of Opportunities” for development and investment if given the political and social licence to expand and develop, with public awareness/acceptance of its role. There will be session on From Fishing to Farming: Aquaculture in Ocean Literacy will assemble science educators, scientists and representatives of the aquaculture industry to reveal some of the most inspiring “stories”, to explore best practice in communicating about sustainable aquaculture and to understand how this hot topic can be dealt with in a balanced way while addressing pupils, students and the general public. Sign up and abstract information

5-7 October, TIC Glasgow: MASTS 11th Annual Science Meeting!

More information to come!

17 – 20 October – Our Coastal Futures conference, Australia

A transdisciplinary, multi-format international conference to share and co-produce knowledge and enable effective action. See line up of speakers and register here

23 October – Millport 4th Marine Symposium

The Millport Marine Symposium was conceived with the aim of bringing marine science to as many people as possible. The breadth and quality of presentations on offer each year reflects the diversity and wonder of our coastlines and oceans. If you would like to present at the symposium, either a talk (10, 20 or 30 minutes) or a poster (with an optional 3 minute ‘flash talk’), please submit a title and a short proposal (<200 words). Website to [email protected] Submissions must be received by 1 st August.

26-27 October – Ocean Knowledge 2021: Climate change and the ocean

A two-day conference addressing three key themes:

• Climate change and sustainable use of the ocean and ocean resources
• The role of the ocean in natural and engineered climate mitigation
• Rising sea levels and coastal vulnerability

More information here

December 2021 – Marine Socio-Ecological Systems: Navigating global change in the marine environment, Yokohama, Japan

​MSEAS 2021​ presents a diverse and exciting range of topics to showcase the world’s commercial, recreational, and indigenous fisheries. ​It will provide an important forum for identifying the critical developments needed over the coming decades to ensure the world’s oceans are managed sustainably for the benefit of current and future generations. More information here

13 – 17 December – A Sea Change: Transforming Science into Stewardship

SMM2021 will be the very first fully hybrid, live-virtual conference of the Society of Marine Mammalogy. Concurrent sessions will be accessible to all attendees via pre-recorded content. All presenters in all formats (e.g., regular and speed talks, poster, video) will be required to record and upload their presentation 4 weeks prior to the conference start date. Virtual content will be available on-demand for all in-person and virtual attendees during the conference and for 30 days post-conference. More information here

26-28 April 2022 – 4th Symposium on Decadal Variability of the North Atlantic and it’s Marine Ecosystem: 2010-2019, Bergen, Norway

We invite abstracts that propose papers to be selected for submission to a special issue. The symposium and subsequent publication will together form an overview of the hydrobiological variability of the North Atlantic during the decade 2010-2019. More information here

9-12 May 2022 – Fourth ICES PICES Early Career Scientist Conference, Canada

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)​ and the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)​ are proud to announce the fourth Early Career Scientist Conference in May 2022 hosted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Who can participate? ​An early career scientist must – at the time of the event in 2022 – be 35 years of age or younger or have finished a PhD no earlier than 2017. More information will be released here

9 – 13 May 2022 –  GlobalHAB workshop: Modeling and Prediction of Harmful Algal Blooms

This 4-day workshop will combine oral and poster presentations, round-table discussions, and tutorials in order to 1) increase awareness of the range of modelling and observational tools that are in our community toolbox (or should be); 2) help the HAB community speak with one voice regarding climate-change impacts on the global ocean; and 3) help scientists and technologists develop creative approaches to meeting the needs of coastal communities, governments, and industry worldwide. Registration will re-open late summer 2021. More information here