Advancing Digital Twins
of the Ocean
Integrating Socio-Ecological Data, Models, and Applications for Sustainable Marine Management and Policy
This international symposium, organised by the SEAtwins cluster project endorsed by the UNESCO Ocean Decade, will explore the latest updates and scientific advances in social-ecological analysis and modelling of the marine and coastal areas, aiming at achieving the goals outlined in the EU Mission Goals to restore, protect and sustainably use our ocean and waters.
Framing the Symposium
The scope of the symposium is to explore the latest updates and scientific advances in social-ecological analysis and modelling of the marine and coastal areas, aiming at achieving the goals outlined in the EU Mission Goals to restore, protect and sustainably use our ocean and waters.
The symposium brings together researchers and practitioners working on Digital Twins of the Ocean (DTOs), with a particular focus on EDITO — exploring the status of research and practical experiences in integrating social-ecological data and models — and next steps regarding EDITO and initiatives such as Destination Earth. Symposium attendees will have the opportunity to participate in additional trainings on development and use of socio-ecological models and digital tools developed in the SEAtwins projects.
At a glance
Topics include
Social-ecological modelling
Digital twin oceans and EDITO
Biodiversity and ecosystem assessment
Marine protected areas
Maritime spatial planning
Anthropogenic activities and pressures
Citizen science
Event Schedule
Monday
02 November
- Joint meeting with SEAtwins group (½ day)
- Symposium — start at 12:00 with lunch, presentations from 13:00 (½ day)
- Symposium dinner
Tuesday
03 November
- Symposium (full day)
Wednesday
04 November
- Symposium, ending with lunch (½–full day, subject to content)
- Hands-on what-if scenario modelling & data exploration with SURIMI
- Training (½ day)
Thursday
05 November
- Training for ECOPs & decision makers, with SEAtwins participation (½ day)
- SEADOTs meeting (½ day)
- AquaINFRA meeting
Join the symposium
Register interest for the Symposium
Register your interest for a place at the SEAtwins Symposium. Registration is free — create an account to get started.
Submit an Abstract
Submission deadline: 22 June 29 June 2026. Long-format, short-format, and poster submissions are welcome.
How the event is structured
Scientific presentations
The core programme runs across 3 days of talks and discussion from 2–4 November, with two half days and one full day.
Long format
20–25 min talk + 10–15 min discussion. Submit a long abstract or completed paper for consideration.
Short format
10–12 min talk with discussion. Ideal for work in progress or focused findings.
Posters
Present your work in an interactive poster session and connect with attendees one-to-one.
Associated publication venues
Important dates
22 June 29 June 2026
Abstract / Paper Submission Deadline (extended)
15 August 2026
Notification of Acceptance
25 August 2026
Accepted abstracts and registrants must confirm attendance
22 June 29 June 2026
Abstract / Paper Submission Deadline (extended)
15 August 2026
Notification of Acceptance
25 August 2026
Accepted abstracts and registrants must confirm attendance
SEAtwins partner projects
SEADOTs
Socio-Ecological Advances in Digital Ocean Twins. This project develops next-generation socio-ecological models for inclusive marine governance, with living-lab demonstrations in the Norwegian North Sea, the Southern North Sea, and the Baltic Sea.
Learn MoreSEADOTs project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101156488
SEADITO
Socio-Ecological Analytics for the Digital Twin Ocean. SEADITO supports the EU Mission “Restore Our Ocean and Waters” by integrating socio-ecological analyses into the European Digital Twin Ocean. Its Scenario Toolkit helps multiple stakeholders explore and compare management options.
Learn MoreThe Seadito Project is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement 101157243. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
SURIMI
Focused on the socio-ecological dimensions of fisheries management, SURIMI combines models such as Ecopath with Ecosim and POSEIDON with new AI-based interfaces. It translates model results into clear summaries that stakeholders can understand.
Learn MoreFunded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Program, Grant Agreement No. 101157456 (SURIMI). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. UK participants in SURIMI are funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding Guarantee [grant number 10132993].
EcoTwin
Concentrating on coastal regions such as the Southern North Sea, Celtic Sea, Thracian Sea, and Waterford Estuary, EcoTwin applies graph theory and AI to connect ecological, physical, and social data. Its participatory approach invites communities to co-design models for local policy support.
Learn MoreThe EcoTwin project has received funding from the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No 101157369. The information and views of this website lie entirely with the authors. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.