The Ocean Symposium and Marine Exhibition 2025

Welcome to The Ocean Symposium and Marine Exhibition 2025! Join us for a day filled with fascinating presentations and panel discussions about our beloved oceans. This event will take place on Sat, Nov 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the St. Peter’s Community Centre for a day of learning, inspiration and ocean action . Connect with fellow ocean enthusiasts and experts as we discuss conservation, marine life, and the importance of protecting our oceans for future generations. We will be hearing from national and International speakers, and showcase short underwater inspirational films as well as lots of stalls. Sea, River Pollution and Citizen Science will be high on the agenda during the day. Marine Technology will also be a central part of this event.

The day promises to be a fantastic opportunity to: meet Academics, Policy makers, Community leaders, Business leaders, Networking opportunites and to discuss actions to bring new solutions to our rivers and seas pollution crisis.

We will also enjoy Marine Art this year and amazing short Ocean -realted films

Don't miss out on this incredible event!

Organised by the United Nations Associaton Climate & Oceans , in partnership with Sussex Marine and Coastal Forum, Sussex Underwater, Sussex Dolphin Project and Community Supporters.

Sponsored by RS Aqua

Please note that this event will include flash photography

Programme

10: 00 hrs Opening Ceremony

A message from the United Nations Special Envoy for the Oceans – Peter Thompson

Rt Hon Kieran Mullan - ( Member of Parliament - United Kingdom )

Robert Pearson – Chief Fisheries and Conservation Officer, Sussex IFCA

Cll Abul Azad - Vice Chairman East Sussex County Council

Nick Gray – Chair Sussex Marine and Coastal Forum

UNA Award 2025

10:20 hrs Session One

(Co-hosted by UNA Climate & Oceans and Sussex Dolphin Project)

"Global rising sea levels and the Maldives. Economic, social and environmental impacts" - Shafraz Rasheed (Diplomat) - High Commission of the Maldives, Tokyo, Japan.

"Impacts of rising sea levels in the United Kingdom. Risks and challenges for coastal communtities" - United Nations Association

Q& A session (hybrid)

11:10 hrs Panel discussion: "Harnessing Social Capital. Development of the Blue Economy. Opportunities and Challenges " . Robert Pierson (Chief Fisheries and Conservation Officer, Sussex IFCA), Cllr Abul Azad (Vice Chairman East Sussex County Council), Dominic Liddiard (Sussex Underwater) , Henry Bhagobati (UNA Youth Council). Moderated by Thea Taylor (Sussex Dolphin Project)

"Ocean - the Book of the year" - short film narrated by Sir David Attenborough

11:40 hrs Coffee break - Marine Exhibition and networking

12: 10 hrs Session Two

(Co-hosted by UNA Climate & Oceans and Sussex Dolphin Project)

Ocean Technology

RS Aqua Film

"The Internet and the Ocean"

"Artifical Intelligence and the Ocean clean up"

"Robotics and Ocean research" - tbc

12:25 hrs Q & A Session

12: 40 hrs "Wonder Dolphins" - Presentation and footage - Thea Taylor (Project Lead, Sussex Dolphin Project)

13:00 hrs Lunch Break and Networking

14:00 hrs Session Three

(Co-hosted by UNA Climate & Oceans and Sussex Underwater)

"Trawling: the truth finally revealed " - short film narrated by Sir David Attenborough

"Marine Protected Areas in the UK and trawling ban petition" - short Documentary - Produced by Picture Book Films and Sussex Underwater, in partnership with: Oceana UK, Blue Marine Foundation, United Nations Association, Ony One, Sussex Wildlife Trust.

14:10 hrs Panel discussion: "Marine Art and Creative writing in Blue Spaces" - Laura Callaghan, Writer tbc.

14:30 "Citizen Science and Coastal Communities Opportunities " - Sarah Ward, Ella Garrud (Sussex Wildlife Trust)

14: 40 "Rivers and citizen science in Eastbourne and Wealden" - Andy Dindsdale - Ocean Ambassador (Strandliners)

15:00 Announcements - new projects, events.

15:10 "Bexhill beach garden. Inclusivity and community integration" - illustrated presentation by Young Pollinators (Community Supporters) (Generation Restoration - United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration)

15: 25 "UN Plastic pollution Treaty: Upates. Global campaigns" - Greg Paxton (Ocean Ambassador - United Nations Association Climate & Oceans).

Sussex Underwater short film

16: 10 hrs Closing Words: Nick Gray - Chair Sussex Marine and Coastal Forum

UN short Film