How much oxygen do microscopic algae produce that live on rocks, buoys, jetties and other solid surfaces in the Baltic Sea? Luise Wintergerst and Hanna Mohammad from the Königin-Katharina-Stift-Gymnasium in Stuttgart investigated this previously little-studied question as part of the Research at Sea competition.

From 14 to 23 August 2026, the large festival grounds at Niendorf Harbour will once again be transformed into a vibrant hub for marine research, environmental education and maritime discoveries. Every day from 10 am to 6 pm, the SeaExperience Days invite visitors of all ages to experience the fascinating world of the Baltic Sea with all their senses.

How is methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, produced in the Baltic Sea, and what role does the increasing lack of oxygen play in this process? Pupils Lena Dreeßen and Emilia Schreiber from the Louisenlund Foundation investigated this question as part of the nationwide Research at Sea competition aboard the research and media vessel ALDEBARAN.

A research expedition by the ‘Gymnasium Lerchenfeld’ aboard the ALDEBARAN has shown that resilient ecosystems still exist even in those areas of the Baltic Sea known as ‘dead zones’.

Despite persistent stormy weather, the first research team from the nationwide research at sea competition has successfully completed its expedition aboard the research and media vessel ALDEBARAN. Three students from the Carl-von-Ossietzky-Gymnasium in Bremerhaven investigated whether the oxygen-depleted ‘dead zones’ of the Baltic Sea might be previously underestimated sources of climate-damaging gases such as methane and carbon dioxide.

The event combined educational activities for children and young people with scientific exchange, environmental activism and political dialogue. The programme was complemented by the documentary ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’, the parliamentary ocean evening and the Ocean Science multimedia exhibition on board the Cap San Diego.

Each year, the Ocean Tribute Award honours a project that makes a significant contribution to the protection of the ocean. This prestigious prize is awarded by boot Düsseldorf and the German Ocean Foundation to recognise international research projects, innovative start-ups or impactful initiatives and to support them with prize money of €20,000.

The German Ocean Foundation’s participation in European Maritime Day from 21 to 22 May 2026 was a resounding success. Through numerous discussions, workshops, panels and bilateral meetings, we were able to forge new partnerships, deepen existing collaborations and launch a wide range of joint initiatives, events and projects with outstanding European and international partners.

1 July 2026 is all about ocean literacy. At the German Ocean Foundation’s first Ocean Literacy Lab, the Cap San Diego in the Port of Hamburg will be transformed into an educational ambassador for the sea.

Cinema meets marine protection: As part of this year’s International Ocean Film Tour, the German Ocean Foundation took part in a number of events across Germany. This provided an opportunity to engage with a wide audience and raise awareness of marine conservation issues.

Sustainable living, social responsibility and green innovations took centre stage at the GO.GRØØN fair in Lübeck. Among the participants was the German Ocean Foundation, which represented the themes of marine and ocean conservation and engaged visitors in thought-provoking discussions at its stand.

From 16 to 18 April 2026, as part of the ‘Invisible Worlds’ theme days at the Zeiss Großplanetarium, we turned our attention to the microcosm of the ocean. The event was dedicated to the fascinating world of microscopy – an invention that has revolutionised our view of nature.

The 5th Parliamentary Ocean Evening on 16 April 2026 organised by the German Ocean Foundation at the Zeiss Großplanetarium in Berlin sent a clear political message: the protection and sustainable use of the ocean must be much better coordinated in Germany at both national and international levels. Moving forward, the issue of the ocean must feature more regularly and with greater commitment on the political agenda of the German Bundestag, transcending party and ministerial boundaries.