Symposium and cocktail information
Date: 20 May 2026 Time: 09:30 – 17:00 (Symposium), 17:00 – 19:00 (Cocktail reception) Location: Columbia Plaza, Agiou Andreou 223, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST !
AGENDA
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09:00 – 09:30 |
Welcome coffee and registration |
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09:30 – 09:40 |
Symposium opening |
– Dr. Allison Perry (Senior Director of Science & Strategy, Oceana in Europe) – Marina Argyrou (Director, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Cyprus) – Dr. Xenia Loizidou (Symposium moderator) (Chairperson, AKTI Project and Research Centre, Cyprus) |
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09:40 – 10:00 |
Keynote presentation |
– Dr. Rashid Sumaila (via video) (Canada Research Chair and Professor, University of British Columbia) |
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10:00 – 11:15 |
Rebuilding fish populations |
– Dr. Michaël Gras (Fisheries Scientist, Joint Research Centre, European Commission) – Marina Santurtún (Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Manager, AZTI, Spain) – Dr. Athanassios Tsikliras (Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) – Dr. Maria Hadjimichael (Senior Associate Scientist, Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute) |
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11:15 – 11:45 |
Coffee break |
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11:45 – 13:00 |
Healthy ecosystems to support prosperous fisheries |
– Dr. Jean-Luc Solandt (via video) (International Project Lead, Blue Marine Foundation and Visiting Research Fellow, University of Plymouth) – Dr. Jordi Grinyó (Postdoctoral Researcher (Beatriu de Pinos fellow), Institut de Ciències del Mar – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain) – Anastasia Miliou (Scientific Director, Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Greece) – Dr. Carlos Jiménez (Research Director, Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, Cyprus) |
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13:00 – 14:00 |
Lunch |
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14:00 – 15:15 |
Transparency in support of a sustainable EU supply chain and fisheries |
– Dr. Alice Giusti (Researcher, University of Pisa) – Dr. Marine Cusa (Senior Policy Advisor, Oceana in Europe and Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation) – Dr. Cian Luck (Senior Fisheries Analyst, Global Fishing Watch) |
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15:15 – 15:45 |
Coffee break |
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15:45 – 16:30 |
Discussion and key recommendations |
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16:30 – 17:00 |
Symposium closing |
– Dr. Costas Kadis (European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans) – Vera Coelho (Executive Director and Vice President, Oceana in Europe) |
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17:00 – 19:00 |
Cocktail reception |
– Vera Coelho (Executive Director and Vice President, Oceana in Europe) – Marios Droushiotis (President, Cyprus Consumers Association) – Christodoulos Charalambous (President, Union of Small-Scale Coastal Fishers Cyprus) – Alexandra Cousteau (Oceana Ambassador) |
Oceana is hosting Science at the helm: insights for EU ocean policy, a one-day symposium ahead of European Maritime Day. Science and policy experts will draw on scientific findings from the EU and beyond and discuss priority actions to support ocean resilience and sustainable EU fisheries, in relation to rebuilding fish populations, restoring and safeguarding ecosystems, and improving transparency along the EU seafood supply chain. Discussions will also address how these challenges intersect with developing ocean climate solutions and resilience and with strengthening the central role of low-impact fishers.
The aim of these discussions is to provide tangible, evidence-based recommendations for policy development and implementation.
The symposium will be followed by an informal cocktail reception, giving participants the chance to network and continue discussions about opportunities to turn scientific lessons into visionary ocean policy.
Interpretation between English and Greek will be provided during both the symposium and the cocktail reception speeches.
Contact
For more information, please contact Dr. Allison Perry aperry@oceana.org.
