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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 8 June 2026. AZTI has been awarded the 2026 Oceans Award in the Organisation category by the Atlantic Society of Oceanographers (SAO), in recognition of its outstanding contribution to advancing knowledge, conservation and the sustainable use of the world’s seas and oceans.
The award coincides with World Oceans Day, an annual United Nations initiative highlighting the fundamental role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth. Oceans produce much of the oxygen we breathe, regulate the global climate, support most of the planet’s biodiversity and underpin the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.
Now in its fourteenth edition, the Oceans Awards recognise AZTI’s long-standing ability to bridge scientific knowledge, technological innovation and evidence-based decision-making. The judging panel particularly highlighted the organisation’s contribution to applied oceanography, sustainable fisheries management, ocean observing, aquaculture, the blue economy and marine ecosystem conservation.
In its citation, the Atlantic Society of Oceanographers emphasised that conserving and sustainably managing the oceans requires organisations capable of integrating scientific research, technological innovation and knowledge transfer. The Society recognised AZTI’s decades-long commitment to improving understanding of marine ecosystems and developing practical tools that support more effective and sustainable management of marine resources.
The award also acknowledges AZTI’s role as a scientific and technical adviser to regional, national and international public authorities, providing evidence-based advice to support fisheries management, marine conservation and maritime spatial planning.
The judging panel further highlighted the centre’s commitment to developing and applying advanced technologies—including ocean observing systems, environmental modelling, artificial intelligence and big data analytics—to monitor the state of the ocean, anticipate emerging risks and support adaptation to global environmental challenges.
The Society also recognised AZTI’s ability to translate scientific advances into practical solutions for industry and society, helping ensure that research delivers tangible benefits for sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy.
According to the award citation, this close connection between science, public administration and economic activity is one of the defining strengths of AZTI’s track record, demonstrating that scientific excellence can simultaneously contribute to environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness and societal well-being.