The event, coordinated by the CIM-Renova program, included the presentation of 11 oral communications and over 30 scientific posters. The day marks the beginning of a new phase for the center with the recent appointment of Elsa Vázquez Otero as its director, who highlighted the event's importance in bringing the team together.
At the institutional opening, the Vice-Rector for Research at UVigo, Manuel Martínez Piñeiro, emphasized the assembly's tradition as a day for the center to meet and reflect, comparing researchers' work to the foundations that support UVigo's global standing in marine sciences.
The scientific program covered sessions on physics, oceanography, meteorology, and biology, addressing topics such as heatwaves, past oceanographic changes, the effects of pollutants on fish larvae, acidification and phytoplankton dynamics, as well as cryopreservation and the impact of river barriers. It was complemented by an exhibition of over 30 posters and a session on CIM's leadership in European projects.
“"This is my first assembly as director of the CIM, which has 143 members and almost all of us are here today, so I want to thank you for this welcome."
The CIM 2026 Prize was awarded to Romanian researcher Liliana Rusu, from the Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, in recognition of her career in marine renewable energies. Rusu, a specialist in wave modeling and ocean engineering, delivered the assembly's inaugural lecture after receiving the award.
The afternoon session focused on CIM's future strategy, with the presentation of the new management's action lines, including Moncho Gesteira (Deputy Director of Scientific Strategy), Eva Teira (Deputy Director of Internationalization and Society), and Damián Costas (Director of Ecimat).
Citizen science also played a prominent role with the presentation of the Minka platform by Jaume Piera (ICM-CSIC), which promotes public participation in environmental research. The day concluded with presentations on CIM's technical capabilities, the European EMBRC infrastructure, and the CIM Renova program.
