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It was our privilege to host Future Ocean 25 alongside our partners IMarEST and Seafish, bringing together voices from government, science, industry and NGOs. 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.
Cefas is committed to addressing the pressing issues facing our seas and the communities that depend on them. The opportunity for young people to come aboard a research vessel and hear about this work highlights just how vital a healthy ocean is for our environment, our wellbeing and the next generation of marine scientists.
Tim Green - Cefas Interim CEO
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Opening Reflections
 On Day 1, keynotes from Prof. Rachel Mills, Senior Vice President at Kings College London, and Sally Randall, Director General for Environment at Defra, set the tone for the day, urging delegates to think globally, act collaboratively and embrace the complexity of ocean governance.
A panel discussion followed featuring Chief Scientists from across the Defra Group, highlighting the critical role of science in shaping sustainable marine policy.
On Day 2, delegates were welcomed back with keynote addresses from Dr Tiara Moore, CEO of Black in Marine Science, and Dr Emma McKinley, Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff University, who challenged the audience to centre people, equity and inclusion in ocean science. They were then followed by
Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs at Defra.
Their messages set the stage for a day focused on Water Health, Aquatic Food Security and the importance of diverse voices in shaping the future of our seas.
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đź’¬ Voices from within the event
“We are not in charge of nature. The tide reminds us of that.”
— Sally Randall, Defra
“We need to be clever with our data—connect it, interpret it, and use it to forecast change.”
— Prof. Grant Stentiford, Cefas
“It takes all of us to build a more inclusive marine science community.”
— Dr Tiara Moore, Black in Marine Science
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🌱 Four Themes, One Ocean: Sessions Spotlight
 Held at Glaziers Hall on the Thames, the programme was structured around four themes, packed with keynotes, panels and workshops:
- Nature Recovery: How do we reverse biodiversity loss in our seas? Speakers explored the role of evidence, behaviour change, and marine protected areas.
- Clean Energy: Offshore wind, tidal power, and marine spatial planning took centre stage with expert panellists providing insights into energy transition and how we can utilise space effectively and sustainably.
- Water Health: Speakers and panellist tackled some hard hitting topics including pollution, pathogens and public trust.
- Aquatic Food Security: With seafood imports rising and domestic fisheries under pressure, this session asked: how do we make aquatic food systems more sustainable, equitable, and resilient?
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🚢 All aboard the RV Cefas Endeavour
 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.
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đź“Ł Across Social Media
From keynote quotes to behind-the-scenes RV tours, even if you weren’t in the room, you may have caught glimpses on social media:
Highlights included:
- “Day 1 of #FutureOcean25 is underway in London! 🌊 Keynotes from Prof Rachel Mills & Sally Randall, plus panels on Nature Recovery & Clean Energy.”
- “Over two days, nearly 150 students toured the RV Cefas Endeavour—hands-on science, smart tech, and inspiring chats with marine experts.”
- “That’s a wrap 🎉 Thank you to everyone who attended #FutureOcean25. We look forward to future collaborations!”
Check out @CefasGovUK on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram for more
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đź“°Media Spotlight
 Future Ocean 25 also made it to the headlines with Fishing News covering the conference and Ocean Business covering the Education Tours onboard the RV Cefas Endeavour.
“My favourite part was learning so many things. It was all amazing”
— Student
“It was cool to see the new discoveries they found and what they do once they discover it.”
— StudentÂ
“It’s especially good for our students to get insights into different career pathways which I think is a game changer for them.”
— Little Ilford School’s teacher, Mr Obembe
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🤝 Aspiration to Action
 A standout moment was the “Aspiration to Action” workshop, co-led by Cefas and NOC, which tackled underrepresentation in marine science. Delegates shared honest reflections and committed to building a more inclusive sector, from recruitment to retention.
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🧠Why It Matters
 Future Ocean 25 was just the start. It showed that marine science is no longer just about data and discovery. It’s about people, policy and the power of collaboration.
Delegates spoke of the power of bringing people together across disciplines, sectors and generations to tackle shared challenges. They highlighted the need for a joined-up, systems-based approach. A shift from siloed science to collaborative solutions. And a recognition that evidence must be people-centred, rooted in community and support real-world decisions.
From the buzz of the RV tours to the energy in the breakout rooms, the event highlighted the value of partnerships, the urgency of action and the importance of listening.
If you weren’t there, we hope this gives you a flavour of what went on and why it matters. Want to stay in the loop? Follow @CefasGovUK on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook or check out our LinkTree linked below.
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