MARBLUE 2026

BLUE GROWTH: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR THE BLACK SEA

3rd International Joint Conference
Constanta, 27-29th October, 2026
Venue: ”OVIDIUS” UNIVERSITY OF CONSTANTA, 1 University Alley, B Campus, Senate Hall, floor 1

About Conference

The aim of the International Conference is to contribute to the protection of the Black Sea by supporting the sustainable development in a multi-disciplinary way. The conference will provide a space for fruitful discussions, including aspects related to both fundamental research as well as technological innovations, between scientists as well as companies involved in research and development.

PRESENTATION FORMS:
• session lectures (20 min)
• lectures (10 min)
• posters A0

Location

”OVIDIUS” UNIVERSITY OF CONSTANTA
1, University Alley, B Campus,
Senate Hall, floor 1
900437, Constanta, Romania

When

27-29th October, 2026

Registration Fees & Payment Information

We invite participants to register for MARBLUE 2026- BLUE GROWTH: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLACK SEA>br> Please take note of the registration deadlines to benefit from reduced rates.

The registration fee covers access to all scientific sessions, symposium materials, coffee breaks, and official ceremonies.
• Early Bird Fee: 75 EUR (Available until July 30th)
• Standard Fee: 100 EUR (Applicable until June 30th, 2026)
• Student Fee: 50 EUR (Valid for undergraduate, master, and PhD students; proof of student status is required).

All payments must be made via bank transfer in RON (at the exchange rate of the payment day). Please include the mention: " MARBLUE 2026- BLUE GROWTH: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLACK SEA "
• IBAN: RO93 INGB 0000 9999 1964 0185
• Bank: ING Bank
• Beneficiary: ONG Mare Nostrum

EVENT SPEAKERS

Our speakers

Dominika Wojcieszek

Designation: Research Scientist.
Dominika Wojcieszek is a project manager at EMSEA. An oceanographer by training with degrees from Gdansk University and San Francisco State University, she has extensive experience in ocean literacy, marine education, public outreach, and awareness-raising.
While in academia, she volunteered at events and youth clubs to promote ocean awareness and education. As an educator at the Gdynia Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Poland, she taught classes, developed educational events and programs, and co-authored peer-reviewed publications on ocean literacy, as well as ocean education resources and a children's book. As Head of Education at the Gdynia Aquarium, she co-developed one of the first local EU Blue Schools programs, funded by Gdynia City Hall.
From 2021 to 2023, she worked with WWF Poland as the Blue Patrol coordinator, supervising nearly 200 volunteers involved in marine mammal and bird rescue, protection, education, and awareness-raising initiatives.
Since April 2023, she has been working for EMSEA (European Marine Science Educators Association), advancing ocean literacy on a European scale. As a project manager, she develops resources, manages campaigns, and organizes events. Her primary role is Blue Schools Officer, where she manages the certification process for the Network of European Blue Schools, ensures effective communication to engage teachers and schools, organizes and facilitates meetings, workshops, and teacher training sessions, and disseminates the Blue School program across the EU.

Position: Project manager
Affiliation: European Marine Science Educators Association
Web: https://www.emseanet.eu/

Eugen Cătălin Platon

Designation: Aquaculture engineer
Eugen Cătălin Platon started his experience in the aquaculture sector more than 35 years ago as an aquaculture researcher. During the last decades, he worked in the fish farming sector, fish processing and trade, fisheries and aquaculture administration. Since 2008, he has been the President of ROMFISH, the Romanian Fish Farmers Association, which is a member of the Romanian Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Committee and of the EU Aquaculture Advisory Council. He has been involved in various international research and cooperation projects related to pond fish farming, and he is very active in the adapting the legislative and administrative framework to the specific needs of aquaculture.

Position: President
Affiliation: ROMFISH
Web: https://federatiaromfish.ro/

Şükrü Turan Beşiktepe

Designation: Professor
Şükrü Turan Beşiktepe is a Professor of Physical Oceanography and Head of the Marine Sciences Department at the Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology of Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiye. He received his Ph.D. from the Middle East Technical University (METU) in 1991 and has held key academic and leadership positions, including serving as Director of the METU Institute of Marine Sciences and Head of the Modeling and Simulation Group at the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE). His international experience includes research at Harvard University and active roles in major global ocean-observing and policy frameworks, such as BlackSea GOOS, EuroGOOS, MedGOOS, SCOR, and UNESCO.
His research aims to advance a new generation of predictive ocean science by integrating in situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and high-resolution numerical modeling to resolve the coupled physical–biogeochemical dynamics of semi-enclosed seas. Focusing on the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Turkish Straits System as climate-sensitive natural laboratories, his work addresses critical challenges related to climate change, ecosystem resilience, and marine environmental management. By bridging science, observation systems, and policy-relevant applications, he contributes to the development of actionable knowledge supporting sustainable ocean governance and the objectives of the European Green Deal and SDG-14.

Position: Head of the Marine Sciences Department 
Affiliation: Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology of Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiy
Web: https://sirodoev.weebly.com/

Event Venue

Event venue location info and gallery

Organized by:


NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MARINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT “GRIGORE ANTIPA”

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOECOLOGY – GeoEcoMar

“OVIDIUS” UNIVERSITY OF CONSTANTA
Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences Faculty

Mare Nostrum NGO

Info

  • • April 1st to June 30 2026: Deadline for abstract submission
    • 15th of July 2026: Notification on abstract submission acceptance
    Please send your abstracts directly via email to: marblue@alpha.rmri.ro.
    To ensure a smooth review process, please include "Abstract Submission - [Your Name]" in the subject line of your email.

  • The registration fee covers access to all scientific sessions, symposium materials, coffee breaks, and official ceremonies.
    • Early Bird Fee: 75 EUR (Available until July 30th)
    • Standard Fee: 100 EUR (Applicable until June 30th, 2026)
    • Student Fee: 50 EUR (Valid for undergraduate, master, and PhD students; proof of student status is required).

    All payments must be made via bank transfer in RON (at the exchange rate of the payment day). Please include the mention: " MARBLUE 2026- BLUE GROWTH: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLACK SEA "
    • IBAN: RO93 INGB 0000 9999 1964 0185
    • Bank: ING Bank
    • Beneficiary: ONG Mare Nostrum

Topics


Session I: Oceanography and Observing the Black Sea, Session Chair - GeoEcoMar
A crucial element of the Black Sea restoration and rehabilitation initiatives is the implementation of a continuous monitoring and operational observing system in the Black Sea. Regular observations in the Black Sea basin started in the past century and quite a good multidisciplinary observing system operated in the 1970–1980s, mainly based on ship observations. Since then, many projects and initiatives have dealt with technological opportunities for improving both satellite and in situ infrastructures, able to support the R&D activities such as the modeling and assimilation capabilities, validation and verification of modeling and satellite products, real time monitoring, estimation of quality of physical variables, etc.
This session aims to increase the awareness of the importance of observation capacities in the Black Sea and highlight the progress made so far.
Join the discussion on the future of marine monitoring—submit your abstract to contribute to our collective observation strategy.



Session II: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation of Marine Ecosystems, Session Chair - NIMRD “Grigore Antipa”
Marine ecosystems are subject to a variety of threats including disease, pollution, climate change, habitat alteration, overexploitation, and invasive species. Various conservation approaches are used to protect these ecosystems and involve monitoring, management, and international cooperation. Understanding the fundamental components as well as the interactions between aquatic organisms and their environment can help to better understand and conserve marine ecosystems.
The session “Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation of Marine Ecosystems” aims to bring together leading academic scientists and researchers to exchange and share their research results, latest findings, achievements and views on marine biodiversity, ecology and conservation.
Share your latest findings on ecosystem resilience—apply now to present your research to a global audience of specialists.



Session III: Sustainable Use of Marine Resources, Session Chair - NIMRD “Grigore Antipa”
Although the Black Sea is a unique basin that is rich in biodiversity, heritage and natural resources, it is increasingly under pressure due mainly to the impacts from human-induced factors, such as eutrophication and hypoxia, overfishing, and introduction of alien species, in addition to the effects of climate change. For these reasons, the sustainable use of the Black Sea resources is of utmost importance and research in these areas is essential.
This section covers topics focusing on living resources (fisheries, aquaculture, biotechnologies etc.) and non-living potential (mineral resources, energy, cultural heritage, tourism etc.), aiming at fostering the “blue transformation“ of the Black Sea.
Be part of the "Blue Transformation"—contribute your expertise on sustainable resource management today.



Session IV: Marine Geology and GeoEcology, Session Chair - GeoEcoMar
The Black Sea serves as the largest anoxic basin in the world, preserving a complex geological record established over the last 250 million years. This session focuses on the basin's tectonic and sedimentological evolution, specifically the intermittent connectivity with the Mediterranean that has left distinct lithological and geochemical imprints on the seabed. Discussions will cover the significant changes in fauna and flora composition from the Last Glacial Maximum through the Holocene, alongside the basin’s importance regarding potential hydrocarbon source rocks and unconventional resources like gas hydrates. Furthermore, the session addresses the geoecological state of the basin today, examining the presence and behavior of various pollutants within the geological framework and their impact on the contemporary marine environment.
Uncover the geological secrets of the Black Sea—submit your paper to lead the conversation on this topic!



Session V: Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Coastal/Deltaic Management, Session Chair - UOC
The development of coastal areas and maritime space is a priority in the European Union together with its Green Deal and sustainable blue economy aims. In the global context of resource depletion, climate change and biodiversity loss, the sustainable use of marine resources is a key issue in the framework of important regulations to be adopted through maritime spatial planning and coastal management processes.
This session aims to emphasize sustainable blue economy policies and actions as a society response to current challenges in the Black Sea basin while building a collaborative long-term and integrated strategy of maritime space and coastal areas development, based on the transfer of knowledge and innovation.
This session aims to raise the awareness on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the Black Sea and its resources and to build an improved public knowledge base across the world’s population regarding our global ocean.
Shape the future of coastal development—register now to collaborate on integrated maritime strategies.



Session VI: Ocean Literacy and Education, Session Chair - Mare Nostrum
Ocean Literacy represents the understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean, as well as the importance of the ocean to humankind, communication about the ocean in a meaningful way and responsibility about decisions regarding the ocean and its resources. Moreover, ocean literacy is not just educating or informing the public and the marine and maritime stakeholders about the importance of oceans - ocean literacy aims at facilitating the creation of an ocean literate society. Ocean literacy in the Black Sea region is a crucial aspect of understanding and conserving this unique marine environment.
Key points regarding ocean literacy in the Black Sea are representing by environmental challenges, biodiversity, education, research and collaboration.
This session aims to raise the awareness on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the Black Sea, enhancing Ocean Literacy concept to build an improved public knowledge by actively engaging with all the stakeholders.
Empower the next generation of ocean advocates—submit your educational initiatives and help build an ocean-literate society.



Hosts