ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

16/09/2026

🌊 What a start to ICES ASC 2026 in Brest!

Yesterday marked the first day of the Annual Science Conference 2026, bringing our marine science community together for a week of science, exchange, and collaboration.

French Minister for the Sea and Fisheries Catherine Chabaud opened the day with ICES President Carl O’Brien, ICES General Secretary Alan Haynie, Vianney Pichereau, First Vice-President of the University of Brest, and François Houllier, President Director General of Ifremer. 👉https://lnkd.in/eMwPh7J4

Catherine Chabaud 🗣 “At a time when the effects of climate change are accelerating, marine ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure, and expectations for science have never been higher, this conference takes on special significance.”

Alan Haynie encouraged everyone to make the most of the week and the community around them 🗣 “Whether this is your first ASC as a student, your last ASC before retirement, or anywhere in between, reach out to people, ask questions, and help us make the bonds of this wonderful community even stronger.”

🏆 The Opening Ceremony also celebrated Massimiliano Cardinale, as he was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of his contribution to ICES science. 👉https://lnkd.in/exUiGwER

The day continued with a special event bringing together voices from ICES, the European Commission, advisory councils, and the wider marine science community, to discuss how to best adapt science and advice to support fisheries management in the context of changing ecosystems. 👉https://lnkd.in/eWVBuyeg

The plenary round table “Bridging science and policy: Collaborative pathways in Marine Spatial Planning” explored how stronger science-policy interactions can support effective marine spatial planning, from identifying knowledge needs and scientific roadblocks to improving the uptake of research in decision-making. 👉https://lnkd.in/e4EytBtx

The Journal Plenary celebrated 100 years of the ICES Journal of Marine Science, reflecting on a century of scientific publishing and its contribution to marine science. 👉https://lnkd.in/e_4yd_MC

And, of course, the science was in full swing! 🔬
Five theme sessions took place:
🐟 Integrating ecosystem aspects into single-species fisheries management advice
🌊 From turbines to ecosystems
🎣 Bycatch reduction technologies
🧬 Integrative approaches for marine biodiversity assessment
🔎 Other important research beyond this year’s theme sessions

Four network sessions created space for discussion and exchange: DEI and the research life-cycle, Future-proofing ICES Science and Advice, Engaging citizens in biodiversity monitoring, and even the ICES catwalk.

As François Houllier stated 🗣 “Knowledge should be shared. Knowledge comes before action.”

After a packed first day of science, discussion and new connections, participants headed to Hôtel de Ville de Brest for the Welcome Reception. 🥂

And this was only Day 1! Stay tuned as we will continue sharing highlights from 2026 ICES ASC throughout the week.

15/09/2026

ICES Annual Science Conference 2026 has kicked off in Brest, France!

🗣️"At a time when the effects of climate change are accelerating, marine ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure, and expectations for science have never been higher, this conference takes on special significance. Its goal is to enhance science’s ability to address these new questions and challenges.”

Catherine Chabaud, French Minister for the Sea and Fisheries, marked the importance of ICES work as she addressed the opening of ICES Annual Science Conference this morning.

Almost 1000 marine scientists and ocean professionals have gathered for 4 packed days of exciting scientific sessions, workshops, keynote talks and opportunities to connect.

We are looking forward to a fantastic week of science!

15/09/2026

“ICES has been my journey; it has not shaped it, it has created it.
Follow your dreams, always be yourself and keep science pure and protected from external influences. ICES offer you that possibility; don't miss it."

Congratulations to Cardinale Massimiliano on receiving ICES Outstanding Achievement Award 2026.

This year's award was presented earlier today in Brest, France at the opening of ICES Annual Science Conference.

Read more about this year's winnerℹ️https://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/news-archive/news/Pages/202609-OOA2026.aspx

15/09/2026

Now live! Join ICES and the European Commission for a special event taking place at to discuss how best to adapt science and advice to support fisheries management in the context of changing ecosystems.

Watch the live stream now 📹 https://bit.ly/4xWNMfe
🕛10:00–11:00 (CEST)

10/09/2026

🚨Advice release - Vulnerable marine ecosystems in EU waters

ICES has published advice in response to the European Commission's request on areas where vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) are known to occur or are likely to occur in EU waters https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.32820404

ℹ️All ICES Advice is available online to view and download
https://www.ices.dk/advice/Pages/Latest-Advice.aspx

10/09/2026

🚨Advice release - Vulnerable marine habitats in the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) regulatory areas

ICES has published advice on new information on vulnerable habitats and fisheries activities in the NEAFC regulatory areas https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.32820599

ICES has also published advice in response to a NEAFC request on the appropriateness of NEAFC areas closed to bottom-fishing for the protection of VMEs https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.32822471

ℹ️All ICES Advice is available online to view and download
http://ices.dk/advice/Pages/Latest-Advice.aspx

📷 Seabed Habitats

10/09/2026

The future of fisheries advice: Are we ready for 2040?

Join ICES and the European Commission for a special event to discuss how best to adapt science and advice to support fisheries management in the context of changing ecosystems.

🗣️Read the full programme of speakers https://www.ices.dk/events/asc/2026/Pages/Special-event.aspx

🕛10:00–12:00
📆 Tuesday 15 September
📌Le Quartz, Brest, France
🌐Register here to follow the live stream https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ziCy4DVXaESR3wXK5f8f3B64jrVrnxZKks9cWO404BlUMlZLUlBTSjdQN0JKNzgySzhVQkNPUUJKRS4u

From the European Commission’s evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy to the 50th anniversary of the US Magnuson-Stevens Act, fisheries management is entering a period of reflection and change. At the same time, marine spatial planning, nature restoration, and changing ecosystems are creating new demands for science, data, and advice.

Are ICES science, data, and advice ready for the coming challenges?

As we look toward our 125th anniversary and a new Strategy in 2027, this event is an opportunity to consider what knowledge gaps we need to address, what innovations we should embrace, and how we can strengthen science and advice for the future.

💬 Join the conversation in person or follow along online.
Register here 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ziCy4DVXaESR3wXK5f8f3B64jrVrnxZKks9cWO404BlUMlZLUlBTSjdQN0JKNzgySzhVQkNPUUJKRS4u

09/09/2026

Heading to our Annual Science Conference in Brest next week?
Follow these 3 steps now for a stress-free start to your ASC week!

1
Download Whova, the conference app, and activate your profile so that you can join all the chats already going on, pick up some local recommendations, and create your schedule for the week in advance! https://whova.com/portal/tBsCXGKOvzmHSBTkGCRQPVAkV-lZVS7VzWNEoSYGycM=

2
Avoid the morning rush for registration before the Opening ceremony!
If you happen to be in Brest on Monday 14 September between 13:00-17:30, our registration desk will be open. Drop by and pick up your name badge!

3
Make sure you have bought your conference dinner ticket by tomorrow, Thursday 10 September, to avoid disappointment next week https://whova.com/portal/registration/dSIZTBITNo3Utn4KaPOI/awsg53ux

We are looking forward to a fantastic week of science!

09/09/2026

🗞️⚓The latest issue of ECO Magazine brings together a number of stories that reflect the changing landscape of marine science, ffom new ways of collecting and using ocean data, and the growing role of monitoring technology, to the value of practical knowledge and the skills needed to support the sector’s future.

We’re pleased to share this latest edition as part of our ongoing media partnership with Eco Magazine for our Annual Science Conference, coming up next week.

⏩ Read the latest edition: https://bit.ly/4yt8QtL

Three underlying questions marry the editorial features in the latest issue of eco magazine: How is ocean data most effectively collected amid such rapid technological change? Can monitoring technology turn decades of gut instinct into reliable, data-informed evidence? And who is training the upcomi

09/09/2026

🎨 What does 100 years of marine science look like?

For the past decade, cartoonist Bas Köhler has brought a different perspective to ICES science, live-drawing at conferences and turning complex ideas, disciplines, and discussions into visual stories.

To celebrate ICES Journal of Marine Science’s centenary, cartoonist Bas Köhler has created a fantastic timeline cartoon that captures the world of marine science from 1926 until today.

But his work is about more than making science entertaining. Bas sees drawing as a powerful communication tool that can help researchers from different disciplines build a shared mental picture of complex ideas.

“Text is linear. A drawing can show an overview of different elements, their relationships, separations, contrasts, even opposites – all at a single glance.”

His ICES journey began in Brest in 2016. Ten years later, he’s returning to the city for ICES Annual Science Conference 2026, where the Journal centenary cartoons will be on display, and Bas will once again be live-drawing the science as it happens.

👉 Read our chat with Bas https://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/news-archive/news/Pages/202609BasASC27.aspx and, if you’re at the Annual Science Conference next week in Brest, don’t miss the chance to say hi and see the cartoons for yourself.