MARCO-BOLO Community of Practice:
MARCO-BOLO is holding its Final Stakeholder Event the afternoon of 16 November 2026 in Bruges, Belgium, back to back with the Final Project Meeting and the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB).
This engaging and in person event will bring together project experts and key stakeholders from our Community of Practice and beyond, representing the marine and coastal biodiversity landscape – including research, policy, the blue economy, and more.
Attendees will have an opportunity to interact and exchange insights on the project’s innovations and outputs, covering topics such as next-generation ocean observation through integrated sensors for OceanEye, best practices in marine biodiversity data, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), blue carbon strategies, and upscaling observations of EOVs/EBVs.
Together, participants will shape the roadmap for the project’s enduring legacy and its contribution to EU and global ocean policies.
Attendance is by invitation only
For more information please contact: l.benedetti@unesco.org
Core Community of Practice members
The following are core members of MARCO-BOLO’s Community of Practice who have provided valuable guidance and input throughout the life of the project.
Current members
Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, University of Plymouth / OSPAR Convention
Andrés Mármol-Guijarro, EuropaBON / German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
Frank Muller-Karger, University of South Florida / MBON
Guillaume Body, Biodiversa+ / French Office for Biodiversity (OFB)
Joana Beja, EMODnet Biology, VLIZ
Lina Mtwana Nordlund, Uppsala University / BioEco Panel / EU Horizon BioEcoOcean
Manuel Sala Perez, EuroGOOS Secretariat
Neil Holdsworth, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
Pierre-Yves Le Traon, Mercator Ocean International / IFREMER
Past members
Inga Lipps (previously represented EuroGOOS)
Michelle Silva del Pozo (previously represented Biodiversa+ / French Office for Biodiversity)
Miguel Fernandez (previously represented EuropaBON / iDiv)
Provisional High-Level Agenda
Monday, 16 November 2026
12:15 – 17:00 CET
Time
Item
Speaker/Chair
12:15 – 13:15 – FAREWELL LUNCH FOR CONSORTIUM MEMBERS & GUESTS
Session 1: Opening remarks and highlights from MARCO-BOLO
13:15 – 13:20
Opening remarks
Jesus Maria Alquezar Sabadie, DG RTD
13:20 – 13:30
Highlights from MARCO-BOLO
Nicolas Pade, MARCO-BOLO Project Coordinator, EMBRC
Session 2: Turning MARCO-BOLO’s innovations into a lasting legacy
Participants will interact with MARCO-BOLO technical experts to explore knowledge transfer assets that have been built on some of the project’s technical innovations including on Data Management, Novel Technologies and Blue Carbon which aim to help the marine community strengthen marine biodiversity observations across Europe and beyond.
13:30 – 13:35
Overview, modalities and desired outcomes
Lisa Benedetti, UNESCO-IOC
14:35 – 14:50
Scaling marine life understanding via new technologies and models
Introduction
Julie Robidart, NOC
Novel Technologies – Advancing Integrated Marine & Coastal Biodiversity Observations for the European Ocean Pact
Project experts will showcase the immense potential for multi-parametric 3D biodiversity sampling, imaging and mapping demonstrating the value of novel technologies for assessing Good Environmental Status, reversing biodiversity loss and restoring marine ecosystems. Biodiversity observations are an essential component of the OceanEye and Europe should promote technology transfer to ensure such innovations can be scaled up.
Julie Robidart, NOC
Patrizio Mariani, DTU
Carlijn Koole, Seascape Belgium
Advancing mapping of European blue carbon stocks – Increasing the availability of satellite data and oceanographic data products can support an integrated approach to mapping blue carbon stocks across Europe. Project experts will demonstrate a tool that was created to predict organic carbon stocks in existing European seagrass meadows. The models are in place, the limitations known, now the availability of high-quality and standardised in situ sediment carbon observation data must be increased to improve model efficacy and support evidence-based decision-making.
Natalya Gallo, NORCE
Silvia Chemello, CIIMAR
Kara McKee, Seascape Belgium
Panel discussion and Q&A
Chair TBD
14:50-15:10 – COFFEE BREAK
15:10 – 16:00
Data Readiness
Securing interoperable digital legacies of European marine and coastal biodiversity initiatives – MARCO-BOLO’s Data Management Plan complements and goes beyond existing EU guidelines and therefore aims to serve as a best practice for ocean data collection in Europe and internationally. Project experts will present a Data Readiness Level Checklist and supplementary guidance on producing data that is FAIR, compliant with Horizon Europe and can be integrated into European and global digital infrastructures.
Dan Lear, MBA
Steve Formel, UNESCO-IOC
Chloe Figueroa Ashforth, MBA
Debbie Tsang, Seascape Belgium
Session 3: Beyond MARCO-BOLO – from innovation to impact
16:00 – 16:50
Panel discussion and Q&A
Panellists offer views and reflections
Chair:
Kate Larkin, SSBE
Panellists:
Giorgio Santinelli, DG MARE
Guillaume Body, Biodiversa+ and Office français de la biodiversité (OFB)
Lina Mtwana Nordlund, GOOS BioEco Panel and BioEcoOcean Project Coordinator
Luca Budello, Fugro
16:50 – 17:00
Closing remarks
Laura Palomo Rios, REA
EVENT CLOSURE