Theme groups
At the constitutive workshop, the committee’s associated theme groups were formed and their titles defined. The theme groups can be continuously updated and adjusted by the committee.
Theme groups can cut across ocean areas, can involve central Nordic capacity, and aim to discuss the relevance of and qualify the challenges (Decade Challenges) in a Greenlandic, Faroese, Danish and/or regional context, including identifying possible concrete new activities. The groups may choose to work with a geographic or national focus. The establishment of theme groups takes its point of departure in, but is not limited to, a number of sessions planned for the constitutive workshop.
Co-creation and synergies
If we are to create lasting change and protection of the ocean’s ecosystems, it requires nature to coexist on equal terms with humanity. But this relationship is under severe pressure. The process of change can be optimised by setting common goals that place nature and humanity on an equal footing. This theme group works with holistic management, where knowledge and perspectives from all stakeholders who interact with the ocean are incorporated into ocean governance. The group also seeks to create synergies between initiatives, partnerships and projects at international, EU, national and local level.
Ocean Decade Outcomes
A healthy and resilient ocean, An accessible ocean, An inspiring and engaging ocean.
Ocean Decade Challenges
2: Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
4: Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy
9: Skills, knowledge and technology for all
10: Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean
privatperson
Participants: Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, KU, Urban Agenda, Miljøstyrelsen, SDU, DTU Aqua, AAU, DMI, Granskingarráðið, Sjókovin, Det Syddanske EU-Kontor, Den Levende Fiskerihavn, Biosfære Bornholm, Styrelsen for Grøn Arealomlægning, Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat, Den Grønne Ungdomsbevægelse, ICES.
Ocean Literacy
Ocean Literacy is about understanding ‘the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean’. Outside of professional communities, there is limited knowledge about the ocean, its central importance to global ecosystems, and the extensive human-caused problems facing the marine environment. Ocean Literacy focuses on increasing people’s knowledge of the ocean, strengthening awareness and engagement, and expanding opportunities for action that improve and restore the marine environment. Target audiences include formal learning environments, policy, business, and the general public and local communities. IOC-UNESCO and EU Mission Ocean regard increased Ocean Literacy as an important tool for achieving the goals of sustainable development of our marine industries and nature.
Ocean Decade Outcomes
An inspiring and engaging ocean, an accessible ocean, a healthy and resilient ocean
Ocean Decade Challenges
9. Skills, knowledge and technology for all
10. Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean
1. Understand and beat plastic pollution
2. Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
4. Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy
DTU-Aqua
Participants: KU, DTU Aqua, DN havgruppe, DN Møn, Miljøstyrelsen, SDU, Færøernes Forskningsråd, Arctic Hub, Nuuk, Grønlands Naturinstitut, Professionshøjskolen Absalon, Sjókovin Blue Resource.
Data, monitering, and new infrastructure
The theme group aims to create an overview of and collaboration around ocean data, ensuring that it is accessible to all stakeholders. The intention is partly to communicate and provide an overview of existing data platforms, and partly to identify and address data gaps and shortcomings in the waters surrounding Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The group aims to identify and assess gaps in data coverage and quality within areas such as seabed mapping, oceanographic conditions and ecosystem dynamics in these regions.
Ocean Decade Outcomes
An accessible ocean with open and equal access to data, information, technology and innovation.
Ocean Decade Challenges
- Expand the Global Ocean Observing System
- Create a digital representation of the ocean
- Skills, knowledge and technology for all
Havstovan
Participants: DTU, Havstovan
Tænketanken Hav
DTU-Aqua
Prediction and managament scenarios for coastal marine systems
Purpose
To develop capacity for a Digital Twin of the Ocean covering Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
What is a Digital Twin of the Ocean?
A digital twin is a virtual model of the ocean, based on:
- Spatially dynamic models of physical, biogeochemical and biological marine systems
- Integration with observations (measurements, satellite, sensors)
- Advanced simulation and analysis to represent the state and development of the ocean in real time or future scenarios
These digital twins make it possible to use data more effectively and in a societally relevant manner across different temporal and spatial scales. Examples of applications: storm surge warnings, forecasting (e.g. climate change), assessment of significant events, and management scenarios (e.g. expansion of offshore wind, adaptation to climate change, nature restoration).
Ocean Decade Outcomes
The objective is a digital version of the ocean with a focus on the Danish, Faroese and Greenlandic waters, which will help policymakers, managers and the maritime industry to obtain better decision-making tools for ocean forecasting (from days over seasons to years) and its societal impact.
Ocean Decade Challenges
- Challenge 5: Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change;
- Challenge 6: Increase community resilience to ocean hazards;
- Challenge 7: Expand the Global Ocean Observing System;
- Challenge 8: Create a digital representation of the ocean
Participants: AU, DMI, GEUS, DTU, DHI, Geodatastyrelsen, Firum, Geometoc
Coastal nature restoration and ecosystem services
Ocean Decade Outcomes
A clean ocean, A healthy and resilient ocean, A predicted ocean, An inspiring and engaging ocean.
Ocean Decade Challenges
- Understand and beat marine pollution.
- Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
- Unlock ocean-based. solutions to climate change.
Tænketanken Hav
Participants: AU, DTU Aqua. Aalborg Universitet, DHI, DN, Kystdirektoratet, Søfartsstyrelsen, MST, SDU og Tænketanken Hav
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
The theme group focuses on ensuring that fisheries and aquaculture are conducted sustainably, both with regard to the environment in which the activity takes place, as well as in relation to social and economic conditions. Fisheries and aquaculture provide important proteins, but they also represent pressure factors on the marine environment. In coastal areas, fisheries and aquaculture furthermore play an important role — not only directly and indirectly as a contribution to employment, but also in relation to vibrant coastal communities and cultural heritage. The fisheries and aquaculture of the future must be sustainable with both environmental and societal considerations in mind.
Ocean Decade Outcomes
A productive ocean, A healthy and resilient ocean, A clean ocean
Ocean Decade Challenges
- Challenge 3: Sustainably feed the global population.
- Challenge 2: Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Challenge 4: Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy.
Workshop reports
- Workshop in Hirtshals (1.-3. april 2025): Workshop Rapport Hirtshals (PDF)
- Workshop in Nuuk (21.-23. october 2025): Workshop Rapport Nuuk (PDF)
Participants: AU, AAU, DTU Aqua, Delefosse, Blue Ressource, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Danmarks Fiskeriforening, Danmarks Pelagiske Producentorganisation, QAK, Royal Greenland, Firum, Tænketanken Hav, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, Fødevareministeriet, Ocean Rainforest, Den Grønne Ungdomsbevægelse, MSC, Durita í Grótinum, FSK PO
A predictable ocean, the North Atlantic and the Arctic
The Arctic and North Atlantic oceans are important for the global climate system and the production of marine resources. Deep water formation in Greenlandic waters and strong warm and cold ocean currents passing the Faroe Islands, connecting the Arctic with the North Atlantic, mean that these ocean areas are more predictable than most other parts of the world’s oceans. But we need more knowledge about conditions in the North Atlantic and the Arctic as they were in the past and are in the present, in order to predict what they will be like in the future.
Ocean Decade Outcomes
- Objective 2: A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood, cared for and managed
- Objective 3: A productive ocean that supports a sustainable food supply and a sustainable blue economy
- Objective 4: A predictable ocean that society understands and can respond to under changing conditions
Ocean Decade Challenges
- Challenge 2: Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
- Challenge 4: Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy.
- Challenge 7: Expand the Global Ocean Observing System.
- Challenge 8: Create a digital representation of the ocean.
Participants: Havstovan, Grønlands Naturinstitut.
Biological diversity
TG9 is dedicated to Biodiversity in its broadest sense, including the population-, species-, and ecosystem-level diversity of ocean life from microbes to large mammals. The theme group aims to contribute to a better understanding of past, present and future genetic, morphological and functional diversity with a view to achieve ecosystem-wide insights and with special attention to emerging tools in biodiversity monitoring such as DNA.
Ocean Decade Outcomes
A healthy and resilient ocean; A productive ocean; A predicted ocean; An inspiring and engaging ocean.
Ocean Decade Challenges
- Challenge 2 – protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Challenge 7 – expanding the global ocean observing system.
- Challenge 10 – change humanity’s relationship with the ocean.
Færøernes Universitet
Participants: KU, Færøernes Universitet, DHI, GEUS, Grønlands Naturinstitut og Havstovan.