Future Ocean 25: Integrating science solutions for society and nature
1 July 2025
More than 200 marine experts from government, academia, NGOs and industry joined forces in London this week to develop shared scientific responses to the complex challenge of supporting sustainable growth.
Future Ocean 25, hosted by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) brought together leaders in marine science with leading marine managers and users to help accelerate the transformation of science into actionable policy.
The two-day event focussed on four key themes essential to both society and nature: nature recovery, clean energy, water health and aquatic food security and was co-convened with partners IMarEST and Seafish.
Coinciding with key international and UK environmental milestones and at the mid-point of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, the event aimed to broker sector-wide discussions on the best use of science and innovation to address key societal and environmental challenges in support of the Government’s missions and growth agenda.
Future Ocean 25 also included tours of Cefas’ 74-metre-long Research Vessel, moored temporarily alongside HMS Belfast on the River Thames, enabling conference delegates, external stakeholders and potential future marine scientists to gain hands-on experience of ocean science. Over 80 schoolchildren and 60 university students from across London and Norfolk explored the state-of-the-art RV Cefas Endeavour, learning how marine scientists address critical ocean challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Tim Green, interim CEO, and Grant Stentiford, Chief Scientist at Cefas, welcomed delegates by emphasising the need for collaboration:
"Future Ocean 25 aims to start a new conversation, brokering sector-wide discussions across government, science, industry and NGOs, on the best use of scientific data and evidence to support better decision making for prosperity.
Adding:
“The opportunity for young people to come onboard a scientific research vessel and hear about some of this work will highlight just how important a healthy ocean is for our own health and prosperity and hopefully inspire the next generation of aquatic and marine scientists.”
Marcus Coleman, CEO of the Sea Fish Industry Authority, said:
“Seafood has an important role to play in providing healthy, nutritious food for the nation, now and into the future. Understanding and protecting our ocean environment is essential and holding an event like Future Ocean 25 helps bring science, industry and policy setting together to increase our collective appreciation of the opportunities and challenges we are facing.”
Chris Goldsworthy, IMarEST Chief Executive, said:
“We’re honoured to have partnered with Cefas to co-convene Future Ocean 25, featuring some of the leading scientific voices across government, industry and NGOs. As the international professional body and learned society for all marine professionals, the IMarEST and its members play a critical role in shaping a brighter sustainable future for our seas and the communities reliant upon them – the technical discussions at Future Ocean 25 covered these challenges, while also highlighting the opportunities for our wonderful industry, as we take a united approach for the future."
Grant Stentiford - Chief Scientist, Cefas
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