Partners from the two newly funded JPI Oceans projects ISOLUME and ALANIS will gather for their kick-off meeting in Hamburg, Germany, marking the beginning of a three-year collaboration under the Joint Call on Changing Marine Lightscapes. The meeting will serve as the first joint encounter for researchers and stakeholders working on two distinct but interconnected topics: darkening of the oceans due to freshwater runoff and rainfall, and artificial light at night (ALAN) pollution in marine environments. The projects officially began on 1 July 2025.
In addition to introducing the project objectives and teams, the meeting will initiate the establishment of a JPI Oceans Knowledge Hub dedicated to Changing Marine Lightscapes. This hub will support the alignment of research efforts, foster exchange across disciplines, and enhance the interface between science and policy. Participating countries include Germany, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
The agenda includes project presentations, expert interventions, and interactive workshops aimed at defining common ground for cooperation. Contributions from representatives of the European Commission and IOC-UNESCO are also expected, alongside discussions on communication and dissemination activities.
Further information about the projects:
ISOLUME (IndicatorS Of changing Lightcapes in Underwater Marine Ecosystems)
Coordinator: Prof. Oliver Zielinski, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW), Germany
The ISOLUME project will investigate the effects of changing light penetration in the ocean, particularly in relation to increased freshwater runoff and rainfall, and its consequences for marine ecosystems.ALANIS (Impacts of artificial light at night on pelagic ecosystems in European seas)
Coordinator: Dr. Rüdiger Röttgers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (HEREON), Germany
ALANIS will study how artificial light at night (ALAN) affects pelagic marine ecosystems, looking into biological responses, spatial patterns, and policy relevance.
A detailed agenda will be shared closer to the event date.