The One Ocean Workshop, held from July 5–7 at the University of the Azores (Ponta Delgada campus), brought together national and international experts in ocean science, diplomacy, and policy. Organized by the University of Bergen, UT Austin–Portugal, OKEANOS Institute, and the Portuguese National Committee for the UN Ocean Decade, the workshop provided a space to address today’s ocean issues including marine biodiversity loss, climate change impacts, advanced observational tools, and developing marine protected areas.
The workshop took place alongside the visit of the legendary Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, the flagship vessel of the One Ocean Expedition. Docked in Ponta Delgada from July 2–8, the ship served as a floating classroom and research platform.
On July 7, André Valente, Head of AIR Centre’s Space Systems and Applications Program, participated in Session 3: Expanding the Global Ocean Observing System (Challenge 7), alongside fellow experts:
- André Valente (AIR Centre): Satellite-based ocean observation: current capability and future directions
- Kirstin Schulz (University of Texas at Austin): In-situ ocean observing techniques
- Filipe Porteiro (OKEANOS/UAc): Azores oceanic biodiversity monitoring programs
- Moderation by Patrick Heimbach (UT Austin)
His talk provided a comprehensive view of current and future efforts of Earth Observation satellites to monitor ocean health at scale, highlighting upcoming sensors and new tools such as hyperspectral data and Data Cubes that will hopefully provide better and more data easily accessible and actionable for researchers and policy makers in the face of climate change.
The panel sparked discussions on the integration of in-situ, satellite and other emerging technologies, the monitoring and sustainability of fisheries, and the need for collaborative and interdisciplinary science to improve our understanding of the ocean.
On July 8, the ship set sail for Nuuk, Greenland in a 21-day voyage across the North Atlantic offering a truly unique experience that blends authentic sailor life, breathtaking natural contrasts, a strong focus on sustainability, digital detox, and rare encounters with marine wildlife. Students and scientists from institutions across Europe, North America, and Australia participate in this leg, blending scientific data collection with education and cross-cultural exchange.
As the Statsraad Lehmkuhl journeys north to Greenland, the One Ocean Expedition continues its mission to connect people and the ocean. In Nuuk, it will host scientific outreach activities and another series of workshops, reinforcing the expedition’s role as a floating arena for ocean literacy and diplomacy.
This voyage is just a part of the whole One Ocean Expedition 2025–2026 which is a global voyage aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and will keep raising awareness about the ocean’s role in our future, inspire new generations, and connect research with policy through immersive, real-world experience.
