Next Monday, 11 May, Mercator Ocean International will take part in the high-level conference “Riding the Wave: Advancing the EU Ocean Pact through Science, Innovation and Cooperation” in Ayia Napa, Famagusta, Cyprus, under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Karina von Schuckmann, Senior Advisor for Ocean Science for Policy at Mercator Ocean International, will contribute to a keynote session entitled “From Ocean Knowledge to Policy Impact: Implementing the EU Ocean Pact through Science, Data and Innovation”.

The session will explore how scientific knowledge, ocean data, digital innovation and international cooperation can support the effective implementation of the EU Ocean Pact and strengthen evidence-based ocean governance.

The event will also provide an opportunity to present and discuss the Starfish Barometer, first International’s annual scientific assessment of the Ocean–Humanity system. The Barometer offers an integrated view of ocean change, human pressures, societal impacts and protection efforts, and is designed to support decision-makers in understanding system-wide interactions and emerging risks.

This exchange comes at a key moment for European ocean policy, offering an opportunity to bridge science and decision-making and reinforce the role of knowledge in shaping sustainable ocean futures.

We warmly thank the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), and the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence for hosting this important event, which contributes to keeping ocean priorities high on the European agenda.

Read more: RidingTheWave2026

Explore the Starfish Barometer website and read the launch press release