The trip provided a lot of food for thought about how to advance marine science in the future.

Disruptive technologies and New Power were the words of the day but there was also a fantastic enthusiasm for collaboration and joint venture.

Read Alex’s daily blogpost here.

Visiting Svalbard though, you cannot avoid the impression of dramatic change driven by global warming and increasing human presence through tourism. Atlantic species were replacing Arctic, communities of marine animals completely changing and the outlook grim for ice-dependent animals such as ringed seals and polar bears. The increasingly erratic weather was also a notable feature of conversation with many people who live on the archipelago or visit it regularly. Science plays a critical role in understanding these changes and helping with how to manage them in the future.

My thanks to the organisers of Outreach Cruise 2019, all my colleagues who participated and the crew of the Helmer Hanssen!