From 30 September to 2 October 2026, the EMSEA Conference took place at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona, Spain. The event brought together researchers, educators and practitioners to exchange experiences and explore approaches to ocean literacy, blue education and citizen science, while providing opportunities for networking and collaboration.

During the conference, ANERIS presented “Marine Participatory Monitoring along the Catalan Coastline”, highlighting the outcomes of four years of work in participatory marine monitoring. The presentation also showcased the Living Lab communities established in collaboration with the PHAROS project, demonstrating the importance of community engagement and collaboration in advancing marine monitoring initiatives.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity to share ANERIS' experiences and contribute to discussions on the role of citizen science and participatory approaches in improving our understanding of marine ecosystems.