European Ocean Days, organised by the European Commission, are back for its 3rd edition, taking place from 2 to 6 March 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. This week-long series of high-profile sessions will bring together stakeholders from science, industry, policy, civil society, and the blue economy to advance cooperation on ocean sustainability, governance, innovation, and investment across Europe.
The event programme is structured around thematic panels, workshops, and consultations that address key priorities of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”, including marine ecosystem protection, climate resilience, sustainable blue economy growth, and strengthening marine knowledge infrastructure. Participants will engage in discussions on ocean observation, data and digital tools for policy support, and collaborative strategies for healthy marine environments.
ARCFISH is directly aligned with the objectives of Mission Ocean and Waters through its focus on enhanced marine data integration, model-based insights, and digital knowledge systems to support evidence-based decision making in fisheries and marine ecosystem management. Its contributions to interoperable data services and digital twin technologies resonate with key sessions at European Ocean Days — particularly those emphasising the role of marine knowledge, digital applications, and integrated data frameworks for ocean health and sustainable use.
The Blue Economy is central to the week with a special session on “Sustainable Blue Economy for EU’s Blue Competitiveness: Policy Instruments and Success Stories”, focused on how the European Union can strengthen the competitiveness of its sustainable blue economy while upholding environmental responsibility. Policymakers and industry experts will outline key EU instruments and initiatives that support innovation, investment, and economic growth in ocean-related activities, illustrating how regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms are being mobilised to drive sustainable business development. The session is expected to feature testimonials from innovative companies and organisations and practical examples of sustainable blue technologies and business models, underscoring the complementarity of economic competitiveness and environmental stewardship at the heart of the European Ocean Pact.
The European Ocean Days provide a strategic platform to showcase and connect EU-supported research and innovation efforts such as ARCFISH with broader Mission deployment activities. Engagement at this event supports ARCFISH’s mission to contribute to science-policy interaction, data-driven tools, and collaborative approaches that underpin the EU’s Ocean Pact and Mission Ocean and Waters ambitions ahead of the 2030 targets.
Registration information and detailed programme updates are available on the European Ocean Days portal of the Maritime Forum (European Commission).
