1,450 people participated in the open days at the Centre for Marine Research (CIM) of the University of Vigo, held from Friday to Sunday. The scientific fair at A Laxe attracted around 800 visitors, while an additional 650 engaged in pre-registered activities, including visits to the Ecimat, boat trips, and a public expedition to the Cíes Islands. This year’s event, which marks the tenth anniversary of the CIM and the 20th anniversary of the Ecimat, set a new attendance record.
The programme, running from Friday to Sunday, offered various ways for attendees to explore the work of CIM research groups and gain insights into marine science. Pre-registered activities included 30 participants at the Vigo Campus, another 30 at the Ecimat visits, and 100 on the Nautilus school ship trips on Friday. Saturday saw sustained interest, with 90 visitors at the Toralla scientific station and another 90 on outings in the Vigo estuary aboard the Nautilus. The weekend concluded with a scientific expedition to the Cíes Islands, which attracted 250 participants.
Exploring marine research in its natural settings
A key highlight of the programme was the opportunity to learn about marine research in the environments where it takes place. At the Ecimat, visitors toured the facilities, discovered ongoing scientific projects, and engaged in hands-on activities with research and technical staff. Meanwhile, the estuary trips, themed 'Join the CIM campaign!', introduced participants to fieldwork, oceanographic sampling techniques, and methods used to study the biodiversity and environmental characteristics of coastal ecosystems.
The expedition to the Cíes Islands, a new feature this year, offered a scientific perspective of this protected area. Organised in collaboration with the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, it involved CIM researchers with extensive experience studying the archipelago, alongside national park professionals who guided the tour to highlight its geology, ecosystems, and marine biodiversity.
Additionally, the scientific fair at A Laxe provided an open space for around 800 attendees, featuring games, experiments, and interactive workshops. This initiative aimed to make various aspects of marine research accessible and engaging, particularly for families.
