The Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC) is organising the CSIC Marine Research Meeting: Towards a more connected, collaborative and strategic marine science on 27 and 28 May 2026 in Vigo, as part of the commemoration of its 75th anniversary (1951–2026).

The aim of this event is to bring together research staff working in the marine field to encourage knowledge exchange, promote scientific innovation and highlight the role of marine ecosystems as a key axis for sustainable development, especially in a city such as Vigo, which is deeply linked to the sea.

The opening session will take place on Wednesday 27 May at 9:30 in the Afundación Auditorium and will be attended by Abel Caballero, mayor of Vigo; José María Martell, CSIC Vice-President for Scientific and Technical Research; Carlos Closa, CSIC Vice-President for Organisation and Institutional Relations; Carmen González Sotelo, CSIC institutional delegate in Galicia; together with Beatriz Novoa, director of IIM-CSIC, the institute organising the meeting, reinforcing its institutional nature and bringing together the CSIC marine science community.

The programme is structured into three major thematic blocks that address, from an integrative perspective, the main challenges facing current marine research:

Wednesday 27 May

The ocean in motion: understanding the system that regulates the planet
This block focuses on the study of the ocean as a global system, addressing physical, chemical and biogeochemical processes and their role in global change. From observation and modelling to data integration, it will explore the scientific foundations needed to understand and predict the evolution of the marine environment.

Life in the sea: biodiversity, ecosystems and ocean resilience
Dedicated to the study of marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, this block addresses everything from microorganisms to complex systems, including the impacts of global change, conservation and resilience. It is a key space for advancing the scientific knowledge that underpins the protection of marine life.

Thursday 28 May

Ocean and society: science for the sustainable use of the sea
This block focuses on the relationship between the ocean and society, addressing the sustainable management of marine resources, aquaculture, fisheries and the blue economy. It also highlights the role of knowledge transfer and scientific advice in the design of public policies and the generation of solutions to global challenges.

Beyond the scientific sessions, the meeting is conceived as a space to strengthen collaboration between centres, disciplines and generations, promoting synergies, the exchange of capacities and the construction of joint projects that foster more coordinated and strategic science.

The choice of Vigo as the venue reinforces its role as one of Europe’s leading hubs for marine research, where science, industry and society converge in a dynamic ecosystem linked to the blue economy.

A meeting that places marine science as a pillar for sustainability, innovation and social development, strengthening collaboration and knowledge transfer as drivers of the future.