Blue Talent Day 2026 brings future talent together in Ostend

4 March 2026

On 4 March 2026, the annual VLIZ Marine Science Day took place at De Grote Post in Ostend. The event once again brought together hundreds of researchers, students, companies, and policymakers to explore the latest insights in marine science. This year’s edition is also part of the recognized UN Ocean Decade Actions.

Participants enjoyed an engaging programme featuring keynotes, predoctoral presentations, posters, and interactive demos. During the plenary session, the governor and Jan Mees reflected on the growth and impact of VLIZ, followed by the traditional presentation of research awards.

ILVO Marine, based in InnovOcean, also showcased strong achievements:

• Jasper Van Vlasselaer won the Best Predoc Presentation Award.
• Marianne Olivier took third place in the Best Poster Award.

Their contributions clearly demonstrate how firmly the marine research and innovation landscape is anchored in Ostend—an important asset within Blue Valley Ostend.

More information

Discover the programme and full details on the official VLIZ page:
VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026

The entire event and all presentations can also be rewatched on YouTube (VLIZ MARINE SCIENCE DAY 2026 - YouTube).

Other sources: ILVO at VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026 - ILVO Flanders.