The highly anticipated annual meeting of the GES4SEAS project was held this week with a full and engaging agenda. The meeting brought together our science experts from various work packages to discuss the project’s progress, collaboration with other initiatives, and future objectives. Several members of the Practitioners Advisory board also attended the meeting and provided great inputs.

The event started with a small steering committee session, followed by a kick-off session that provided a general introduction to the project. During the kick-off session, Angel Borja, the project coordinator, presented the meeting’s practicalities and provided an update on the project’s status, including its collaboration efforts with other projects. Amaia Barrena, responsible for administration, addressed the administrative aspects such as reporting and budget. Maria C. Uyarra and Miguel Leal, both WP6 co-leads, discussed the evolution of GES4SEAS and presented satisfaction surveys, while emphasizing the engagement of early career researchers and their involvement in initiatives like Blue Schools and Twitter Massive Online Open Courses.

The second day of the meeting focused on specific work package sessions. WP leads presented the main advances made during the first year and outlined the objectives and organization for the second year. The meeting facilitated joint sessions of tasks with practical work, enabling discussions the GES4SEAS toolbox prototype, testing methodologies, and organizing the work for the upcoming months.

Parallel sessions were held to address different Work Packages and tasks, covering topics such as cumulative pressures, tipping points, ecosystem services, and ecosystem-based management. Throughout these sessions, participants engaged in constructive discussions and worked towards completing deliverables due in the coming months.

The GES4SEAS annual meeting showcased the project’s commitment to fostering collaboration towards on goal: improving the health of our seas. With a comprehensive agenda covering various aspects of the project, including administrative, research, and practical work, the meeting provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, refine plans, and strengthen partnerships. The gathering concluded with plenary sessions focused on refining the work plans for each work package and engaging with the Project Advisory Board to discuss progress and future opportunities.

The GES4SEAS project continues to make significant strides in its mission to promote sustainable practices and protect our marine ecosystems.