The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences invites you to the Sopot Science Day 'Ocean of Change' 2026, which will take place on 13 June 2026 at the Institute’s headquarters in Sopot.
The programme will include meetings with scientists, workshops, demonstrations, and activities promoting knowledge about the sea and environmental changes in the Baltic Sea.
Event details are available on Facebook:
'Sopot Science Day ‘Ocean of Change’ 2026' event
On 21 April 2026, the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), based in Incheon, Republic of Korea.
The agreement marks a new stage in scientific cooperation between the two institutions, creating new opportunities for Arctic research, particularly in the fields of environmental change, marine ecosystem functioning, biogeochemical cycles, and long-term variability of the Arctic environment.
The cooperation will include, among other activities, the exchange of scientific knowledge and data, mobility opportunities for researchers and students, participation in joint research cruises and fieldwork, as well as the preparation of joint research projects and scientific publications.
The MoU was signed by the Director of IO PAN, Prof. Sławomir Sagan, and the President of KOPRI, Dr Hyoung Chul Shin.
The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences invites you to an international stakeholder seminar organised as part of the BIODIVERSA+ project Detect2Protect entitled 'New approaches in determining the impacts of chemical pollution to protect the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea'.
The meeting will take place on 20 May 2026 (Wednesday), from 13:00 to 15:00 (CET) and will be held online via MS Teams.
The Detect2Protect project, implemented by an international consortium, aims to develop innovative methods for monitoring and assessing the state of the marine environment, as well as to improve understanding of the links between chemical pollution and biodiversity loss in the Baltic Sea. The project promotes a more holistic approach based on so-called effect-based methods (EBM), enabling a better assessment of pollution impacts.
The seminar will provide an opportunity to learn more about the project, exchange knowledge, and engage in discussion with scientists and stakeholders involved in marine environmental protection.
Those interested in participating are kindly asked to register by 11 May 2026 via email: pazdro@iopan.pl. A link to the meeting will be sent to all registered participants.
More information about the project (including three newsletters published so far)
At the Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences in Sopot, the annual meeting of the Steering Committee of the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS) is taking place.
On 19–20 March, experts from around the world are working together on:
▪️ strengthening the role of IMDOS within the global marine debris observing system
▪️ improving coordination of activities and harmonisation of data
▪️ developing monitoring standards (including microplastics, seafloor litter, and beach debris)
▪️ preparing an action plan for the coming years
In parallel, discussions are ongoing on the future development of IMDOS, including its scope of activities, community engagement, and the advancement of tools and data infrastructure.
This marks an important step towards building a coherent, global system for observing marine pollution.
The SecuCoast project consortium has published the first project newsletter. The publication presents key information about the project, its objectives, partners, and the first activities carried out within the initiative.
We invite you to read the first issue of the newsletter and follow upcoming updates from the project.
The SecuCoast project is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Programme under the 2023 Joint Transnational Call of the European Partnership Water4All (Grant Agreement n°101060874).
On 5 March, a meeting was held in the conference room of the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) in Sopot to summarize the eight-year term of the Institute’s Director, Prof. Jan Marcin Węsławski. During the meeting, the most important achievements of the Institute in recent years were presented, along with perspectives for its development in the upcoming term.
The event was also an opportunity for the symbolic handover of the Institute’s leadership. As of 1 March, Prof. Sławomir Sagan was appointed Director of the Institute of Oceanology PAS for the 2026–2030 term.
The Institute’s community expressed its gratitude to Prof. Węsławski for many years of dedication and work for the development of IO PAN. We are also pleased that he will remain affiliated with the Institute and continue his scientific activities, including the implementation of the MARBEFES project, which he coordinates.
We wish Prof. Węsławski well-deserved rest and many successes and satisfaction in his further scientific work. We also wish the new Director, Prof. Sagan, every success in implementing his plans and in leading the Institute in the coming years.
