NIVA Denmark delivered a diverse and impactful scientific contribution at the 23rd Danske Havforskermøde, held 20–22 January 2026 at Konventum in Helsingør. Across multiple sessions, NIVA researchers presented new insights into eutrophication, marine monitoring, FAIR data infrastructure, satellite‑based water quality assessment, gender equality in ocean science, and cumulative human impacts in the Skagerrak.

Spotlight on Early-Career Researchers 

Early-career scientists from NIVA Denmark played a visible and dynamic role throughout the conference, contributing fresh perspectives and innovative research across multiple sessions. Their active involvement on topics such as eutrophication, FAIR data infrastructure, satellite-based water quality assessment, and cumulative human impacts in the Skagerrak reflects both their scientific talent and the institute’s commitment to fostering new generations of marine researchers.

NIVA Denmark supports early-career researchers by providing access to collaborative projects, advanced research tools, and professional development opportunities, empowering them to drive progress and shape the future of marine science in Denmark.

---

Eutrophication Status in Danish Coastal Waters: Improvements Have Stalled

In the session Succeshistorier fra over 50 års natur- og miljøforvaltning, Marie Neel Jørgensen and Nanna Meilholm (NIVA Denmark/University of Copenhagen) presented new findings on the long‑term development of eutrophication in Danish coastal waters.

Using the HELCOM HEAT tool and seven key indicators, their analysis of 109 water bodies from 1980–2023 shows that:

• Significant improvements occurred up to around the year 2000
• Since then, national trends have largely stagnated
• Some indicators—such as chlorophyll‑a and light attenuation—have recently worsened
• Many coastal areas remain affected by eutrophication despite decades of nutrient‑reduction efforts

The study highlights that while earlier national measures were effective, current efforts are insufficient to reach a state of “not affected by eutrophication”.

---

Building Inclusive Networks in Marine Research

Ellen Johannesen (NIVA DK) and Paulina Ramirez Monsalve (Independent researcher) co‑convened with Josefin Ekstedt (Aalborg University) a well‑attended (60 participants) networking session on gender equality in marine research.

The session Increasing gender equality in marine research and fostering alternative problem‑solving approaches emphasized the importance of safe, inclusive professional spaces for women and gender‑diverse researchers. Speakers included:

• Karen Ellemann, Nordic Council of Ministers – Gender equality in the Nordic blue economy – in a time of global backlash.
• Valentina Melli, DTU Aqua – Navigating gender equality in a male-dominated field: a reflection on how perspectives change over career stages 
• Sinja Rist, SIIECS/ICES – The value of early-career networks for an inclusive research environment.

Contributions underscored gender equality as both a fairness issue and a source of epistemic diversity in ocean science. The Nordic Network for Women and Gender-Diverse People in Marine and Freshwater Aquatic Science was launched at the session.

---

Advancing Marine Monitoring Through FAIR Data and Remote Sensing

In the session Sensing the Sea – Remote Sensing and Habitat Modelling, NIVA Denmark researchers showcased cutting‑edge tools for marine monitoring:

AquaINFRA: A FAIR Data Infrastructure for Water Research

Simon Özkan presented work from the Horizon Europe project AquaINFRA, demonstrating:

• An open‑access Virtual Research Environment (VRE)
• High‑quality data spanning inland, coastal, and marine waters
• Examples using the Norwegian FerryBox system and Galaxy workflow platform

The platform reduces time spent on data discovery and prepares the way for broader adoption of FAIR data principles in marine science.

Using Copernicus Sentinel Data for Water Quality Assessments

Therese Harvey presented results from the ØKOSAT project (NEA), evaluating satellite‑derived chlorophyll‑a, turbidity, and Secchi depth for ~50 coastal areas (2015–2023). Key findings include:

• Sentinel‑based products perform well overall, with expected variability in Secchi depth
• Some overestimation of Chl‑a in Sentinel‑2 products
• Ongoing development of an optical‑water‑type‑based machine‑learning algorithm for automatic product selection
• Near‑operational processing systems and a user‑friendly data viewer are being implemented

---

Assessing Pressures in the Skagerrak: Are Marine Protected Areas Effective?

In the session Beskyttede havområder – effektive værktøjer eller streger på et søkort?, Paula Ramon presented new cumulative impact assessments for the Skagerrak.

The study—part of the MultiStress Skagerrak Working Group—reveals:

• Clear “hotspots” and “coldspots” of cumulative human pressures
• Substantial overlap between pressure hotspots and ecologically important habitats
• Mixed effectiveness of MPAs: some reduce stressors, while others offer limited protection

The results provide a scientific foundation for adaptive and evidence‑based marine management in the region.

---

Exploring Environmental DNA Methods

Steen Knudsen presented a poster comparing different filter types for retaining eDNA in marine aquarium water, accompanied by a video demonstration available on YouTube.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/wRLbGtMNBp8?si=A6o1gf8ohb0Bf6S6

---

A Strong and Diverse NIVA Denmark Contribution

Across sessions, NIVA Denmark researchers demonstrated scientific excellence and leadership in:

• Marine ecology and eutrophication
• Environmental data infrastructure
• Satellite remote sensing
• Gender equality and aquatic & marine science culture
• Marine conservation and cumulative pressure assessment
• eDNA methodology

Their participation reflects the institute’s commitment to advancing marine research, supporting evidence‑based environmental management, and fostering an inclusive scientific community.