CBMA, via ARNET, brings science to the table in marine policy debate at Ciência 2025

CBMA, via ARNET, brings science to the table in marine policy debate at Ciência 2025

The ARNET Associated Laboratory — which includes the CBMA, along with MARE and CIMA — took part in the session “The Portuguese Sea – Science for Public Policy”, held on 11 July at the Nova SBE campus as part of the Ciência 2025 national science summit.

Organised by Portuguese associated laboratories active in marine research, the session brought together researchers, institutional representatives, and policymakers in a forum for sharing and discussing how science can inform the development of more effective and participatory ocean policies.

ARNET was represented through three contributions showcasing the diversity of research across its units.
Representing the CBMA, Sofia Duarte (CBMA/University of Minho) presented the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in fisheries monitoring — an innovative approach that highlights the potential of molecular tools to support evidence-based marine governance.
José Lino Costa (MARE/FCUL) introduced CoastNet, the national coastal monitoring network, while André Pacheco (CIMA/University of Algarve) presented Culatra2030, a participatory initiative focused on energy transition in coastal communities.

The session also featured contributions from:
– CIIMAR, with the NETTAG+ project on marine litter prevention;
– CCMAR, presenting a co-management case study on octopus fisheries in the Algarve;
– Okeanos, discussing strategies for deep-sea conservation;
– and CESAM, reflecting on the relationship between scientific production and policymaking.

These presentations led into an open debate addressing key challenges: the lack of formal communication channels between science and political decision-making, the difficulty of conveying scientific uncertainty, the risk of conflating research with activism, and the need to shift from short-term projects to long-term, structured research programmes. The importance of engaging local communities in the policy process was also highlighted, as illustrated by several examples.

CBMA’s participation in this session reaffirms its commitment to applied, collaborative science that responds to real-world challenges — contributing to more informed and sustainable public policies for the ocean and coastal zones, in line with ARNET’s broader mission.